WSCA's Winter scholarship cycle is now open, and with it the Joseph Sir Scholarship: a $3,000 award for a culinary student or apprentice building their craft through real-world experience. Applications are due December 1, and the recipient will be notified by December 28.
Who Was Joe Sir?
Chef Josef "Joe" Sir, CEC, CCE, AAC (1925–1995), was born in Zlabek, Czechoslovakia, and came to Seattle in the mid-1960s, joining the Washington State Chefs Association just as the chapter was building its culinary apprenticeship. He cooked at the Hyatt House, was chef de cuisine of the Washington Athletic Club, and from 1979 was executive chef of the Rainier Golf and Country Club.
For about twenty years, until he retired in 1991, he taught the apprenticeship class: Tuesday evenings, five to nine, for apprentices who arrived after a full day in a kitchen. He served for years on the Seattle Culinary Joint Apprenticeship Committee, was an officer of Les Amis d'Escoffier, and chaired the Washington chapter of the American Academy of Chefs. When he died in 1995, every one of his six pallbearers was someone he had taught.
The scholarship that carries his name supports apprentices and culinary students learning their craft in professional kitchens, the way his apprentices did. Read Chef Sir's full biography on WSCA History →
Who Can Apply
Current ACF members affiliated with WSCA (Chapter WA013) who are enrolled in, accepted to, or a recent graduate of a Washington culinary program.
What You'll Need
The application is online and saves as you go; it takes about 20–30 minutes. Have these ready as PDFs, 10 MB max each:
- A transcript (unofficial is fine)
- Two letters of recommendation from instructors, chefs, or supervisors (not family members)
- Your résumé
Key Dates
- Applications close: December 1, 11:59 PM
- Recipient notified: by December 28
Every applicant hears back by the notification date, selected or not.
Chefs and Instructors
Know an apprentice or student who should apply? Tell them about it, and consider writing one of their two recommendation letters. A specific, personal letter carries real weight.
Questions? Contact Tony Parker, President, at president@washingtonstatechefs.org or 253-355-0412.