Skip to main content

Alto-Shaam Owners Make Record-Setting Donation to CIA

In the largest single donation for educational scholarships ever made to The Culinary Institute of America, the Maahs family, owners of Alto-Shaam, Inc., has given $1 million to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to create an endowed scholarship fund.

The Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Culinary Institute of America will use the scholarship money to offer a complete tuition and expense package to one student per year -- including room and board, books, fees and equipment. This scholarship can be awarded to the same student on a multi-year basis.

Students receiving the scholarship can be enrolled in the four-year bachelor of professional studies in culinary arts program or the two-year occupational studies in culinary arts associates program. Scholars will be awarded on demonstrated financial need, desire, skill and aptitude.

The scholarship is developed in memory of Jerry Maahs, who in 1956 founded the Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based Alto-Shaam, which is regarded as the inventor of the original cook and hold oven that revolutionized low-temperature cooking and holding in the commercial cooking industry.

 "The purpose of the scholarship is to honor Jerry for his contributions to the culinary arts field," said Karen Hansen, c.e.o. of Alto-Shaam and Maahs' daughter. "Jerry came from modest beginnings when he started working in the 1950s toward what is now Alto-Shaam," Hansen continued. "It's only fitting now to give back to the culinary industry by helping top students who would otherwise not afford this high level of culinary education."

While the family is funding the scholarship, The Culinary Institute of America will award the scholarship based on their qualification and evaluation methods. Recipients must be full-time students of The Culinary Institute of America in good standing.

Alto-Shaam offers a full line of cook and hold ovens, convection ovens, combi ovens, chillers, warming cabinets and drawers, heated buffet and display cabinets, merchandisers, fryers and rotisseries.
X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds