The American Culinary Federation  Chef & Child Foundation Committee named Chef James Kokenyesdi as the 2012 recipient of the Michael Ty, CEC, AAC, Endowment Fund.  The Michael Ty Endowment Fund provides an ACF chef with a scholarship to be donated to a charity of his choice.  Kokenyesdi teaches nutrition to adults and children in area schools throughout St. Clair County, the Blue Water YMCA, MSU Extension, local hospitals, and various health fairs.  Kokenyesdi is also involved with the Let’s Move! Program developed by First Lady Michelle Obama, and Cooking Matters – Share our Strength.  Kokenyesdi says the scholarship dollars may be used to work with Fourth Grade students on a program called “Veggie U”. This program allows students to learn how to plant a garden and take it full circle by caring for it, watching it grow, understanding it, cooking it, and eating it.  Kokenyesdi will be presented the  Award at the 2012 American Culinary Federation National Convention in Orlando, Florida in July.  For more information, please contact St. Clair County CMH at (810) 985-8900 or visit the CMH website, www.scccmh.org.