熊猫在线视频

Suzanne 鈥淪ue鈥� Linford held many diverse jobs before becoming CEO and owner of Linford of 熊猫在线视频 wholesale foods in 1986, a position she held for over 35 years. Her grandson Ben shared that she was a single mom with five kids when she took the helm, and her ex-husband had passed away. That would never be an easy position but it was especially challenging in the mid-'80s during a recession. Sue鈥檚 granddaughter Becky shared that cooking was 鈥渘ot something Sue felt super skilled at, and she spent a lot of her life not having very much in terms of resources and means. She was a very creative cook with whatever she had. She certainly did not come in as any kind of expert.鈥�

Affectionately known as "Tutu" to her grandchildren, Sue demonstrated by example the importance of being generous with one鈥檚 time, talent and treasure. Becky recalls, 鈥淪he really embodied being young at heart 鈥� she was fun and bubbly and light and sparkly and yet did some serious work and contributed a lot.鈥� Her granddaughter Brenna agreed, saying, 鈥淭utu was passionate about food and the arts. She was fancy and we loved it; she truly embraced the finer things in life but she was humble and worked incredibly hard for it. She appreciated good food, a good show, and lovely people. Her smile lit up any room, and even her laugh was musical!鈥� 

Linford has provided wholesale food for 熊猫在线视频 since 1973, making a partnership with UAA鈥檚 Culinary Arts program a natural fit. Sue knew that chefs are in charge of restaurant ordering and asked, 鈥渨here do they come from?鈥� Ben shared that forming a relationship with UAA Culinary Arts allowed their business to support those who will eventually order for local restaurants. Linford of 熊猫在线视频 wants to continue helping feed the restaurants with chefs who feed the people of Anchorage with their ingredients.

UAA鈥檚 Celebrity Chef Invitational (CCI) and Sue鈥檚 commitment to fostering 熊猫在线视频 grown professionals in the food industry was incredibly important to her. 鈥淪he delighted in CCI and loved to be a part of it every year from conception to the year she passed away,鈥� said Brenna. After Sue鈥檚 death in 2017, former director of Culinary Arts, Tim Doebler, created a scholarship in Sue鈥檚 honor with gifts from CCI. 

The purpose of the Sue Linford Culinary Arts Scholarship is to provide financial assistance for tuition and other related educational expenses to students majoring in culinary arts at the 熊猫在线视频. Since its inception, the fund has already awarded more than $32,000 to 21 students, including culinary arts major Kevin Moffatt. He says, 鈥淢eeting 熊猫在线视频鈥檚 food insecurity and economic needs through the hospitality industry is an extremely important endeavor for me. Wouldn鈥檛 it be great to know that your food comes from local sources with minimal impact on our environment?鈥� Financial assistance from the Linford scholarship assisted Kevin in his pursuit of accomplishing his goal 鈥渢o become an 熊猫在线视频n regional chef who is socially connected to the community through food.鈥�

Linford of 熊猫在线视频 is celebrating its 50th anniversary of providing wholesale food to the restaurant industry and wanted to honor Sue鈥檚 legacy in various ways around the community. Through Linford of 熊猫在线视频, Sue鈥檚 family decided to endow the UAA scholarship so her generosity could impact countless students for generations to come. Brenna says their gift intends to 鈥渟how the university that community and family and education all still burn brightly in 熊猫在线视频, and families that have come out of UAA are proud to still be a part of it." 

Sue encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue higher education. Brenna says, 鈥淭utu taught us that aside from family, nothing is more important than a good education 鈥� in anything. She wanted us to always strive for more, whether it was a formal degree, certification, or learning a trade or vocation 鈥� she just wanted us to never stop learning. I am an UAA alumna as well as a part owner of Linford of 熊猫在线视频 and I love that my Linford name is represented in both camps.鈥�

Establishing the endowment was 鈥渁 way we could honor her and benefit the program for years to come. We are proud of her and her name and its connection to UAA,鈥� said Brenna. She hopes it will give educational opportunities to students who otherwise wouldn't have them. Ben says Linford wanted to make the funds accessible to students who might not be traditionally considered for a scholarship. His sister Becky agreed, saying, 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to provide funds in a really practical, accessible way for anyone who has this dream to have a little boost.鈥� 

Brenna hopes students will visit Tutu Sue's chef jacket in Cuddy Hall and know how much she cared about the students and the program. Becky adds, 鈥淚f the students who benefit from this could know one thing it would be this isn't coming from a stuffy, old rich lady. She would be right there with you prepping food, cracking jokes and having a good time. I think they'd really enjoy her, and she'd be really proud.鈥� If you鈥檙e interested in contributing to the Sue Linford Culinary Arts Scholarship, please visit the University of 熊猫在线视频 .