Personal contributions to the Chefs for Kids Program
Extension Award of Excellence for Supporters
The Extension Award of Excellence for Supporters recognizes individuals or groups whose exceptional efforts have furthered the educational mission of Extension.
Michael Ty was born in Manila, Philippines, of Chinese parents. His family immigrated to the U.S. in 1966, eventually settling in Waverly, New York. Mr. Ty has a culinary arts degree from the State University of New York (SUNY). He moved to Las Vegas in 1975, continued his education at UNLV, and worked his way up at Caesar鈥檚 Palace, becoming the first Asian executive chef in Las Vegas in 1985. Chef Ty has a legacy of service, ranging from being the 1989 National President of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), to serving on various advisory boards and actively serving and volunteering for the Chefs for Kids Foundation. Chef Ty has received numerous awards including: three-time ACF Western Region Chef of the Year; ACF Western Region Chef Professionalism Award; induction into the American Academy of Chefs (the Honor Society of the ACF); American Academy of Chefs Chair鈥檚 Medal; ACF National Chef of the Year; and numerous ACF Presidential Medallions. He鈥檚 also received recognition from UNLV, SUNY, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, and Johnson and Wales University where he was given an honorary doctorate. Chef Ty has been a tireless and dedicated supporter with his time and resources, having helped establish the Chefs for Kids Foundation over 30 years ago and partnering with Extension to provide nutrition education in several high-needs Clark County School District schools. The Foundation provides a hot schoolwide breakfast for 14 partner schools, along with special Thanksgiving and Christmas support for each school鈥檚 neediest families.