Chef Figueroa Named Educator of the Year
Brooklyn Park, MN — Â鶹ÊÓƵ proudly announces that Chef Tracy Figueroa, culinary instructor at the Brooklyn Park Campus, has been named the 2025 Postsecondary Educator of the Year by the Idaho Potato Commission and the Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFÉ). This prestigious national award recognizes Chef Figueroa’s exceptional commitment to culinary education, student mentorship, and industry engagement. Known for her dynamic teaching style and dedication to student success, Figueroa has consistently gone beyond classroom instruction, developing curriculum, coaching competitions, and integrating modern culinary trends into her courses.
Chef Figueroa’s impact was also recognized locally when she received the American Culinary Federation’s Educator of the Year award in 2024. Her students and colleagues alike praise her for fostering confidence, creativity, and professionalism. Under her leadership, Â鶹ÊÓƵ Tech’s Culinary Arts Program continues to thrive, with students earning accolades such as the Student Chef of the Year and Toby Landgraf Foundation Scholarships. “I was shocked,” Figueroa said of her ACF award. “It really means a lot to me, as someone who grew up in an inner city, to be able to teach students with the same experience. I am so proud.” Her achievements reflect the college’s mission to empower students through hands-on learning and industry-relevant education.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ offers robust Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in the foodservice industry. The Culinary Arts program provides hands-on training in professional kitchens, covering everything from knife skills and international cuisine to gourmet dining service. The Baking & Pastry Entrepreneur program blends technical baking instruction with business fundamentals, equipping students to launch their own ventures or excel in bakeries, restaurants, and cafes. Both programs emphasize creativity, leadership, and real-world experience.
About Â鶹ÊÓƵ
Founded in 1972, Â鶹ÊÓƵ Tech is the largest stand-alone technical college in Minnesota. With campuses in Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie, the college offers degree and non-degree courses in over 40 programs in the skilled trades and high-demand career fields. Achieving a high job placement rate, Â鶹ÊÓƵ Tech prepares students for high-paying employment opportunities.