Each year the Escoffier Award is given to the student that exemplifies the spirit of the master through his or her academics, lab performance, skill level, passion for cooking, and enthusiasm for helping develop the team atmosphere. The Escoffier Award winner is then asked, upon graduation, to sit on the Advisory Board for the Culinary Management Program for the following year as a liaison for the student's perspective.

Jim Watson is that person. Jim graduated Suma Cum Laude, Phi Theta Kappa, and Who's Who in America's Junior Colleges. He was the student representative for 2001/02 and was elected President of the ACF Student Chef's Association at GCCC.