Empowering culinary students through CIA scholarship endowment

Alto-Shaam is proud to celebrate the success of its endowed scholarship program with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Since inception in 2008, the program has supported 16 students, providing them with the opportunity to pursue a career in the culinary arts.

The scholarship program was established through the generosity of Marianne Maahs, wife of Alto-Shaam’s Founder Jerry Maahs, with a landmark $1 million donation to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. The donation remains the largest single contribution for educational scholarships ever made to the CIA.  

In 1955, Jerry founded Alto-Shaam after inventing the revolutionary Halo Heat® technology to keep food warm during Wisconsin winters for his chicken franchise. Today, Alto-Shaam is a third-generation family-owned business, continuing Jerry’s legacy of innovation and excellence. 

“The purpose of the scholarship is to honor Jerry for his contributions to the industry while also supporting the next generation,” Steve Maahs, CEO of Alto-Shaam and Jerry’s son. “It gives us no greater pride to know that his legacy not only continues as we pioneer new innovations today, but also in helping students get their start.”   

The Hyde Park, NY-based Institute utilizes the scholarship funds to offer a comprehensive tuition and expense package to one student per year. This package includes room and board, books, fees, and equipment, and can be awarded to the same student on a multi-year basis. The scholarship is available to students enrolled in either the four-year Bachelor of Professional Studies in Culinary Arts program or the two-year Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts program. Recipients are selected based on demonstrated financial need, as well as their desire, skill, and aptitude in the culinary arts. 

While the Maahs family funds the scholarship, the CIA is responsible for awarding it based on their rigorous qualification and evaluation methods. Recipients must be full-time students in good standing at the Institute. 

With 16 recipients to date, Alto-Shaam remains dedicated to fostering culinary talent and innovation. This scholarship program not only honors Jerry Maahs’s legacy but also strengthens the future of the culinary arts by investing in the education of aspiring chefs. 

Alto-Shaam continues to be named a top-tier benefactor by The Culinary Institute of America. As a not-for-profit organization, the CIA relies on contributions from alumni, friends of the college, foundations, organizations, and members of the foodservice and hospitality industry. Their generosity allows the CIA to maintain its leadership as the world’s premier culinary college. 

Alto-Shaam is committed to providing solutions that enhance the culinary experience and support the success of foodservice operations worldwide. The company approaches it’s 70th year anniversary of pioneering the future of foodservice since 1955.