Eddie Dopkin First Course Award Scholarship Recipient Announced

Miss Shirley's Cafe and The Classic Catering People are pleased to announce the 2019 recipient of the Eddie Dopkin First Course Award Honoring Entrepreneurship in Hospitality. The $5,000 annual scholarship, which is presented by The Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation on behalf of the Dopkin family, was awarded to Stratford University student David Vaughn Jr. at the Stars of the Industry Awards Gala, which took place at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel on May 5.

The Dopkin family and The Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation launched the scholarship in 2014 in honor of Eddie Dopkin, who died in October 2013. Dopkin was best known as owner of Miss Shirley's Cafe and co-owner of The Classic Catering People. He had a knack for business and building relationships, which paved the way for his extensive career in Baltimore's restaurant and catering industries. The annual scholarship is awarded to a student at the Stratford University Baltimore Campus.

“We are honored to offer this scholarship each year in Eddie’s memory and feel there’s no better way to continue to share his magnificent passion for food and hospitality with others,” said Harriet Dopkin, Eddie’s sister and partner/president of The Classic Catering People. “We hope this scholarship will make a difference for David as he pursues his passion and paves his own way in the industry.”

“I know my father would be proud to help future aspiring business owners who share his entrepreneurial spirit and want to make a difference in their communities,” said David Dopkin, Eddie's son and managing member of Miss Shirley’s Café/partner of The Classic Catering People. “This scholarship provides a way for us not only to honor my father, but continue to share his legacy with others.”

In his application essay, David Vaughn Jr. expressed how the scholarship will allow him to first open a po’ boy sandwich food truck and eventually pursue his childhood-dream of opening a French-inspired soul food restaurant. David, who was classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas and is currently studying at Stratford University, held a chef de partie position at Wynn in Las Vegas and was recognized for his outstanding service during his tenure at the Towson University Marriott Conference Hotel. He has always had a love for food, and his passion for cooking began at a young age when he would watch his grandfather teach his mother how to cook. Always looking to exceed expectations, David also explained in his essay that he is well-versed in preparing a variety of cuisines, including Italian, Asian, French and Caribbean, and for all types of customers, including those with special dietary needs and requests. He strives to always “delight clients with delicious meals prepared to the highest standards.”

“David’s pride in every dish he prepares and dream to start his own restaurant truly embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that we remember Eddie for,” said Bridget Husk, executive director of the Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation. “We are honored to be able to present this scholarship to David and are excited to see what the future holds for him.”

Students who are interested in the Eddie Dopkin First Course Award Honoring Entrepreneurship in Hospitality must complete an application, which is made available on The Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation's website (www.MarylandRestaurants.com), and an essay expressing their interest in both entrepreneurship and the hospitality industry. A panel reviews the applications and narrows them down to three finalists, and the Dopkin family selects the recipient.

About Miss Shirley's Café

Celebrating over 14 years of business, Miss Shirley’s Café, locally and family owned, offers guests an exceptional award winning upscale-casual, family-friendly culinary experience for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Its specialties are rooted in Southern fundamentals and the abundance of fresh ingredients from the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland. The menu offers signature dishes including: Chicken ‘N Waffles, Get Your Grits On, Coconut Cream Stuffed French Toast, Crab Cake Po’ Boy, Southern Slammer and Crab Cake & Fried Green Tomato Eggs Benedict.

Miss Shirley’s team takes pride in its beautifully presented plates, prompt and professional service, as well as clean, comfortable and well-maintained premises for guests. The company is passionate about philanthropic efforts, and is proud to be able donate to many local organizations, charities and fundraisers annually. In addition, the restaurants are committed to using eco-friendly, local, organic & family owned brands and products whenever possible.

The restaurant made their National TV debut on Food Network’s Diner’s, Drive-Ins & Dives, Family Legacies episode, which featured Miss Shirley’s Signature Coconut Cream Stuffed French Toast and Crab Cake Po’ Boy. In 2015, Miss Shirley’s was voted Maryland’s Favorite Restaurant by the Restaurant Association of Maryland, and awarded Best Breakfast Sandwich in America by Restaurant Hospitality Magazine. The café also earned The South’s Best Breakfast Spots, as well as Best Fried Green Tomatoes in Maryland by Southern Living Magazine.

Miss Shirley’s Café has received national press from New York Times, Boston Globe & Food Network Magazine, while maintaining its local resonance with praise from Zagat, What’s Up? Annapolis and Maryland Capital Gazette. In addition, they were Voted Best: Overall, Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Family Friendly and Restaurant for Visitor’s & Children in Baltimore Magazine Readers’ Poll. For more information about Miss Shirley’s Cafe, visit www.MissShirleys.com.

About The Classic Catering People

A woman-owned business in Maryland, The Classic Catering People believes that a passion for food is at the base of every event. Through a blend of seasonal ingredients, global flavors, contemporary cuisine and outstanding hospitality, Classic’s name is synonymous with culinary creativity, integrity and service throughout Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Imagination, craft and inspiration lie at the center of Classic’s vision of honoring food traditions while embracing new tastes and techniques, and serving the community with the same dedication as the company serves its clients.

The Classic Catering People is a member of the Leading Caterers of America (LCA), which is an invitation-only, peer-evaluated membership group of the top caterers in the United States and Canada. Classic’s accomplished team of culinary artists and knowledgeable account executives consistently receive rave reviews, awards and recognition from top websites and publications, including Wedding Wire, The Knot, Yelp, Baltimore Style, Maryland Daily Record and the Baltimore Business Journal. The Classic Catering People received a Maryland Business Philanthropy Award from the Maryland Chamber of Commerce in 2014 and was inducted into the chamber's Maryland Business Hall of Fame in 2018.

Classic serves as the co-exclusive caterer for the National Aquarium and George Peabody Library, as well as the preferred caterer for more than 30 of Maryland’s top venues. As the official caterer for the Baltimore Ravens, Classic provides meals for the team at their Under Armour Performance Center training facility, as well as on the road. For more information about The Classic Catering People, visit www.ClassicCatering.com.