LRA Education Foundation & Chef John Folse Culinary Institute sign articulation agreement

The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) and the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute (CJFCI) at Nicholls State University are pleased to announce they have signed an articulation agreement.

Under this agreement, Louisiana high school graduates who have successfully completed two years of a ProStart program and earned their ServSafe sanitation certificate will receive four hours of college credit toward their associate or bachelor’s degree of culinary arts at CJFCI.

ProStart is a nationwide, two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow's industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart's industry-driven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime.

“This agreement is a win-win for the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute and the LRAEF,” said Chef Randy Cheramie, executive director of CJFCI. “Rather than sitting through our first two introductory lecture classes, students with ProStart certifications will start immediately into our skills labs, giving them a semester lead.”

The LRAEF has similar articulation agreements with other post-secondary institutions nationally/internationally and in Louisiana. It continues to seek out mutually beneficial partnerships with other post-secondary institutions in the state.

The LRAEF strives to provide opportunities for its ProStart graduates wishing to pursue culinary arts and management degrees after graduating from high school. Its Scholarship Fund, which has awarded more than $140,000 since its inception in 2009, furthers this goal by ensuring financial support is available for the state’s promising and ambitious students.

“This agreement will allow more Louisiana culinary students the opportunity to transfer easily into Nicholls and continue their education,” said LRAEF ProStart Coordinator Devienne Theriot.

The LRAEF would like to thank its Partners, whose financial assistance makes programs like ProStart a reality: 5 Diamond: Auto-Chlor Services, Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, Acme Oyster House and Louisiana Seafood; 4 Diamond: Performance Foodservice-Caro; 3 Diamond: Louisiana Culinary Institute, Atmos Energy, New Orleans Wine & Food Experience and Drago’s Seafood Restaurant; 1 Diamond: Entergy.  Also, the LRAEF extends special recognition to all LRA chapters that support ProStart and the LRAEF through its various philanthropic activities throughout the year.