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The deadline to apply for the 2025 scholarship has expired.

With a passion for chocolate and the desire to educate and inspire, Dennis created the Chocolate Boot Camp Scholarship for RCI members wishing to attend Chocolate Boot Camp^®. This scholarship is available for any RCI member interested in attending the in-person Chocolate Boot Camp course offered.

About Dennis R. Witzel

Dennis enjoyed a 47-year sales career in the chocolate industry. In 1972, he joined Nestlé’s Chocolate Division as a retail sales representative and was soon promoted to Key Account Sales and Sales Management. In 1985, he was promoted to the Peter’s Chocolate Division as Western Sales Manager. When Nestlé sold Peter’s to Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate in 2002, he continued in the same capacity. In 2009, Dennis retired from Cargill and became an independent sales consultant for Linnea’s Cake & Candy Supplies.

Dennis attended the Richardson Chocolate Technology course and the French Pastry School. He was Course Coordinator for RCI‘s educational programs for several years and an instructor for RCI‘s Chocolate Boot Camp and various chocolate-related courses. In his leisure time, he loved innovating and creating a wide variety of chocolate confections.

Dennis served on the RCI Board of Directors, was a member of the Northern California chapter of AACT and the Western Candy Conference. He was awarded RCI‘s Henry J. Bornhofft Award in 2012 and was inducted into the NCSA Candy Hall of Fame in 2013.

February 2022 Recipient: Alison Mortensen, Char-Val Candies

August 2022 Recipient: Lindsey Greer, Dietsch Brothers

February 2024 Recipient: Derek Krause, The Sweet Granada

February 2025 Recipient: Amanda Hotton, Sweet Bean Candies and Confections LLC

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