Alice Waters to receive the 2015 Szekely Humanitarian Award
The International Spa Association (Ispa) has announced Alice Waters as the recipient of the 2015 Szekely Humanitarian Award. The award will be presented at the Ispa Conference & Expo in Las Vegas on October 19-21.
A chef, food activist and author. Waters is the owner of the Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkley California, the founder of The Edible Schoolyard Project and a pioneer of local, sustainable agriculture and the use of fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Originating at the Martin Luther King, Jr Middle School in Berkley, California 20 years ago, The Edible Schoolyard Project is focused on integrating gardening and the growing and cooking of food into the academic curriculum.
The project has since expanded to incorporate more than 4,000 members in 54 countries. The online Edible Schoolyard Network shares lessons and experiences from school kitchens, gardens and project members around the world.
ISPA president Lynne McNees said: "ISPA is thrilled to recognise Alice for her many years of hard work in advocating for locally grown fare. Her passion for feeding the world is so inspiring and her work impacts so many of us.”
Previous winners of the award, given in honour of spa industry figure Alex Szekeley, include the singer Jewel, author Maya Angelo, TV host Lisa Ling and entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie.
