As the school years gets going, Culinary Crossroads is happy to announce that the first two Chef Greg Hardesty Scholarships have been awarded to students in Ivy Tech Community College’s culinary program.
Working with the Hardesty family and Ivy Tech, Culinary Crossroads established an advisory committee to review applications, interview finalists and choose two applicants to receive a full-year scholarship.
The Hardesty scholarship committee awarded the fund’s first round of scholarships to culinary students Katherine Aliff and Ethan Wise. Honoring the legacy of late Chef Greg Hardesty, the scholarship will be awarded annually to Ivy Tech culinary students who demonstrate talent, leadership and dedication to the craft of cooking. Chef 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.
“Chef Greg Hardesty was a mentor in the Indianapolis culinary community, and we are proud to celebrate the legacy he created and to announce the first two recipients of this scholarship,” said Larry Dickerson, founder of Culinary Crossroads.
Baking has always been a part of New Ross, Ind., resident Katherine Aliff’s life and she has known she wanted to pursue a career in culinary arts since sixth grade. Aliff says her goals in the culinary and baking pastry industry are to work as a pastry chef in a restaurant or hotel and gain experience to eventually own her own bakery or cafe.
Ethan Wise of Covington, Ind., credits his mom with starting him on his culinary journey. From helping at home with dinner to making dinner and eventually starting his own baked goods business, Ethan developed a passion for the culinary field and has a goal of owning his own business.
The Hardesty scholarship is open to students enrolled at the Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis campus with plans to open applications to students at Ivy Tech’s five additional culinary school campuses as the scholarship grows.
“We are proud to honor Chef Greg Hardesty with this scholarship and strengthen Ivy Tech’s commitment to the culinary arts,” said Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. “As an academic institution, Ivy Tech is breaking down barriers to education and creating opportunities for students. This scholarship is an incredible way to honor Chef Hardesty’s legacy.”
