An association representing cooking school owners and instructors is promising to change the rules for who receives the group's annual "Cookbook of the Year" award after the honor was given to a book co-written by its CEO.

At an awards ceremony Sunday, the International Association of Culinary Professionals announced that "Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables" had been named "Cookbook of the Year" by a panel of independent judges. The book contains recipes by chef Joshua McFadden but was co-authored by IACP CEO Martha Holmberg.

The decision instantly raised eyebrows, with some in the culinary community taking to social media to express worries about the impartiality of the awards process, the Washington Post reported. Others defended the decision, saying the book deserved the award but acknowledging the optics of Holmberg winning didn't look good. http://wapo.st/2F1L266

IACP announced Tuesday it was rescinding the award given the concern by "what we see now as an appearance of impropriety," although the group believes the basis for which books are judged is impartial and sound.

"We regret the shadow it has cast on our awards, the book, and IACP itself," the group said. "We are so sorry that we let this happen and apologize to all for our lapse in judgment."

IACP currently has no policies preventing association staff and board members from submitting books for awards, but the group plans to create one in the near future. An advisory council composed of industry leaders will help draft the policy.

"Criticism is what makes any project stronger, and we're looking forward to reviewing and strengthening our policies and procedures for the future," IACP said. http://bit.ly/2owdeYw

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