Chef Greg Hardesty, who passed away in the spring of 2021, left an indelible legacy through the training and mentoring of many of Indy’s premier chefs at his restaurants H2O Sushi, Elements, Recess and Room 4. To honor this legacy, Culinary Crossroads has helped create the Chef Greg Hardesty Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to Ivy Tech culinary students who demonstrate talent, leadership and dedication to the craft of cooking. Working with the Hardesty family and Ivy Tech, Culinary Crossroads has established an advisory committee to review applications, interview finalists and provide unique internships to carry on Hardesty’s legacy for years to come.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to provide the launch pad for the Chef Greg Hardesty Scholarship Fund,” said Larry Dickerson, founder of Culinary Crossroads. “Each and every time we were looking for the best of the best in Indy’s culinary community, Greg’s name was at the top of the list. And each time we reached out to Greg for his insight, advice and participation, he stepped up. He cooked at our Spring Dinner Series in 2021, just a month before he passed away. Establishing this scholarship and committing our organization to growing the fund is the least we can do to honor someone who made such an incredible contribution to our culinary community.”
Hardesty’s wife, Susan Korte Hardesty, will be involved in the selection of the advisory committee and scholarship recipients.
“Our family is so pleased with the idea of a scholarship to honor Greg,” said Susan Korte Hardesty. “It’s comforting to know there will be an ongoing commitment by Greg’s colleagues, friends and customers to carry on his approach to cooking, his passion for the industry and his love for the culinary community.”
Ivy Tech will begin accepting scholarship applicants in early 2023, with the first award anticipated for the fall semester. The scholarship will be open to students enrolled at the Indianapolis campus, and eventually to students at Ivy Tech’s five additional culinary school campuses. Ivy Tech Community College President Sue Ellspermann said the scholarship will help accelerate Ivy Tech’s commitment to the culinary arts.
“We are honored to be able celebrate Chef Hardesty who guided his employees and colleagues to great professional careers,” said Ellspermann. “We look forward to celebrating the successes of future Hardesty Scholarship recipients and to the advancements that will come about through working with Hardesty Scholarship advisors.”
