The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) ProStart National Educator of Excellence Award (EEA) recognizes educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom. These educators demonstrate passion, commitment, and creativity in all aspects of the ProStart program and help their students make the most of the opportunities that ProStart offers. Their stories inspire ProStart educators and supporters across the globe.
On Wednesday, March 8, at the 2023 WV Hospitality Cup and ProStart Invitational Awards Banquet, Mr. Jonathan McCormick, or as most call him, Chef Liljon, was selected as the 2023 West Virginia ProStart Educator of Excellence.
Chef Liljon has been the Culinary Instructor at Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center since 2018 and before that he was the Network Technology Instructor at CGCC. Liljon has been an integral part of CGCC and the Hospitality and Tourism pathway across the state.
Before coming to West Virginia, Liljon worked as a chef internationally. Chef Liljon trained in London apprenticing before traveling the world to increase his culinary knowledge. He settled down in West Virginia in 2003 when he met his lovely wife, Gini. His daughter Pepper, was part of the 2022 Hospitality Cup Championship team that came 14th in the ProStart National Invitational Championship last year in Washington, DC. His love of culinary and his passion for education is shown in the many hours that he spends working with his students. His proudest accomplishments are the successes of his current and former students. He believes that Calhoun and Gilmer Counties have some of the greatest students anywhere, and works daily to help them achieve their own success.
Congratulations, Chef Liljon, for being selected as the 2023 West Virginia ProStart Educator of Excellence.
