$40k in scholarships given to 14, by LRA Education Foundation

It’s a wonderful thing to support young people as they pursue their dreams of higher education. Going to college for any student is an important milestone and a journey they will recall throughout their lives.

While there are scholarships given by many organizations and institutions, the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation created the Scholarship Fund to specifically support ProStart students and students who are currently enrolled or have been accepted in a hospitality or culinary degree seeking program.

“The LRAEF Scholarship Fund is designed to seed future leaders in the restaurant business in Louisiana,” said Stan Harris, President/CEO, LRA. “This is the second year we will award $40,000 to deserving students and we are looking for new and exciting ways to grow the Scholarship Fund.”

On Saturday night in New Orleans, the LRAEF will host its inaugural Five Stars Futures gala—a star-studded affair which also recognizes today’s restaurant industry leaders for their philanthropy to the industry and other important humanitarian causes.

Fourteen individuals will receive scholarhips to continue
their culinary or hospitality educations at the inaugural
Five Star Futures gala, Saturday, August 11 at the
Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

The scholarship recipients will be recognized during the evening and many of the students will have family members present.

“Having the scholarship recipients recognized in front of a room full of Louisiana’s most notable restaurateurs, service providers and hoteliers is certainly to their advantage,” said Alice Glenn, Executive Director, LRAEF. “Any of our member restaurants and associates would be doing themselves a favor to keep an eye on the progress of these students.”

The LRAEF and National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) ProStart Scholarship is a co-branded scholarship given to students who have, or will receive the ProStart Certificate of Achievement. This year’s recipients are: Sabrina Bodenheimer, Victoria Cart, Caitlin Hall, Melissa McGuire, Kaila Mogg-Stone, Thien Nguyen and Andre Rochon. Among the schools this scholarship class chose? The John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University; Louisiana Culinary Institute and the Art Institute of Houston will be the schools training this group for careers.

The General Hospitality Scholarship is a scholarship given to students who are currently enrolled in or have been accepted in a hospitality or culinary degree seeking program. This year’s recipients are: Rheham Algattan, Stephon Cook, Gregory Estevan, Scott Kohls, Christina Manriquez, Kayleigh Mehrtens and Hillary Scott—continuing their educations at John Folse Institute and Louisiana Culinary Institute.

Special gala guest, NRA
Chairwoman Roz Mallet

“We are thrilled to reward the hard work of these 14 students,” said John Eastman, LRAEF Chair. “We are very proud of them and know that their commitment to the foodservice industry will make it that much stronger in the years to come.”

The Five Star Futures Gala is Saturday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. In addition to recognizing today’s industry leaders and supporting the next generation, the event will feature a live auction with guest auctioneer Mark Romig and the special guest, Roz Mallet, the first African American Chairwoman of the National Restaurant Association.

Special thanks to our Gala Sponsors: Reinhart Food Service, Acme Oyster House, Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, Mr. Mudbug's and Crescent Crown Distributing.