Riverwood Culinary Arts Instructor Wins Teaching Award

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Riverwood International Charter School Culinary Arts instructor, Chef Elissa Oliver, has won one of the highest awards in the culinary teaching industry. The 2020 National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation ProStart National Educator of Excellence Awards recognize educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and passion, commitment, and creativity in all aspects of the ProStart program. ProStart is a career and technical education program that unites the food service industry and the classroom to teach high school students culinary skills and restaurant management principles, as well as employability skills such as communication, teamwork, professionalism and time management. Chef Oliver will represent the state of Georgia at an award ceremony to be held on May 10 in Washington, DC.

Chef Oliver was nominated for the Educator of Excellence award by the Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia, the organization that administers the Georgia ProStart program in partnership with the Georgia Restaurant Association.

Her student, Riverwood junior Owen Woodman, augmented the application with his recommendation: “Chef has been an inspiration and role model since before I even had the opportunity to meet her,” wrote Woodman. “Her goal is to show us everything that the hospitality/culinary industry can provide, and to allow us to leave high school knowing how we can make the best decisions for our careers. Chef's passion and love for life is contagious and we love her for helping us find our passion, too.”

“This is the highest award for a culinary educator in the industry," Oliver said. "I am beyond honored to represent Georgia in Washington, DC this spring.”

Chef Elissa Oliver is a culinary arts instructor and pathway specialist for Fulton County Schools. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, with an advanced teaching degree from Georgia State University, she has worked in some of the finest kitchens in the southeast. Oliver took over the helm of the Riverwood Culinary Arts department in 2013, and currently teaches every level of culinary class, from “Introduction to Culinary” to advising twelve advanced teaching assistants who serve as kitchen managers and sous-chefs. She instructs almost 200 students a year. Her students graduate with much-demanded industry knowledge and skills, ServSafe certificates, and many go on to work in some of Atlanta’s top restaurants. Oliver is a resident of Sandy Springs.