LRA Education Foundation offers $70,000 in hospitality scholarships

Scholarship Fund to aid students for fifth consecutive year

The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) is now accepting scholarship applications through April 10, 2015. The LRAEF Scholarship Fund was created in 2009 to support the continuing education of individuals pursuing a career in the culinary and/or hospitality industry.

Applicants must be currently enrolled or accepted in a bachelor and/or associate degree seeking program, pursuing a career in the restaurant, foodservice, tourism or hospitality industry. Courses of study can include, but are not limited to: culinary, hospitality, tourism, business and management programs. Scholarship awards may vary based on available funds and are merit-based.

The 2015 scholarships will be awarded from the following funds: 

• Jim Funk Scholarship: The LRAEF’s most prestigious award, the scholarship is named for former LRA President & CEO Jim Funk, who was instrumental in founding the LRAEF and was a culinary education champion during his 30 years of service to the LRA. This scholarship is renewable on an annual basis for up to four years, provided that minimum GPA and enrollment standards are met.
• LRAEF/NRAEF ProStart^® Scholarship: Awarded exclusively to students who achieve the ProStart Certificate of Achievement. ProStart is a nationwide, two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s industry leaders.
• LRAEF Culinary & Hospitality Leadership Scholarship: Awarded to Louisiana students who intend to pursue a career in the restaurant, foodservice, tourism or hospitality industry.
• LRA CENLA Chapter Scholarship: Presented by the LRA CENLA Chapter, this scholarship is awarded to qualified applicants from the chapter’s 11 parish area- Avoyelles, Beauregard, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon and Winn parishes.
• Louisiana Seafood Scholarship: Established through a generous gift from the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board, this scholarship is awarded to qualified applicants who show an interest in cultivating, protecting and promoting Louisiana seafood.

Available for download at www.LRAEF.org, the application must be completed and postmarked by Friday, April 10, 2015.

“The LRAEF is proud to offer financial assistance to students both beginning and furthering their education in the culinary and hospitality fields,” said LRAEF Executive Director Alice Glenn. “Our industry offers great opportunities for rewarding careers and advancement. Our goal is to support promising future leaders as they prepare for the many lucrative restaurant careers in Louisiana.”

The LRAEF, a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, exists to enhance the restaurant community through expanded educational and career opportunities, the formation of strategic partnerships and the elevation of professional standards and practices. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Alice Glenn, aglenn@lra.org or (504) 636-6526.

The LRAEF is grateful to its nine LRA chapters and its sponsors: 5 Diamond—Acme Oyster House, Auto-Chlor Services, Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, Louisiana Restaurant Association, Louisiana Seafood and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation; 4 Diamond—Performance Foodservice-Caro; 3 Diamond—Atmos Energy, Camellia Brand, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, Louisiana Culinary Institute, New Orleans Wine & Food Experience and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers; 2 Diamond—Louisiana Gas Association, Whole Foods Market and Chef Paul Prudhomme’s “Sea of Hope.”

LRA Cenla Chapter funds $25k scholarship

Inaugural year for LRAEF scholarship to aid student in central Louisiana

The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) is pleased to announce that the LRA Cenla Chapter has established the LRA Cenla Chapter Scholarship to provide financial assistance to students in central Louisiana pursuing a career in the culinary and/or hospitality industry.

The chapter pledged $25,000 to the LRAEF, which will award one $5,000 or two $2,500 scholarships annually to eligible students for the next five years. This scholarship will be awarded to qualified applicants from the Cenla Chapter’s 11 parish area- Avoyelles, Beauregard, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon and Winn parishes.

In addition to the residency requirement, applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and be accepted or enrolled in a qualified two- or four-year degree program, pursuing a career in the culinary/hospitality field.

Available for download at www.LRAEF.org, the application must be completed and postmarked by Friday, April 10, 2015.

“With a growing demand for skilled workforce in the restaurant and hospitality industry across the state, the LRA Cenla Chapter felt it was important to provide an opportunity for young people in our area to pursue such a career,” said LRA Cenla Chapter President Dave Merchant.

“The LRAEF is very appreciative to the Cenla Chapter for this generous scholarship donation,” said LRAEF Executive Director Alice Glenn. “Our industry offers great opportunities for rewarding careers and advancement. Our goal is to support promising future leaders as they prepare for the many lucrative restaurant careers in Louisiana.”

The LRAEF, a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, exists to enhance the restaurant community through expanded educational and career opportunities, the formation of strategic partnerships and the elevation of professional standards and practices. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Alice Glenn, aglenn@lra.org or (504) 636-6526.

The LRAEF is grateful to the nine LRA chapters and its LRAEF sponsors: 5 Diamond—Acme Oyster House, Auto-Chlor Services, Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, Louisiana Restaurant Association, Louisiana Seafood and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation; 4 Diamond—Performance Foodservice-Caro; 3 Diamond—Atmos Energy, Camellia Brand, Louisiana Culinary Institute, New Orleans Wine & Food Experience and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers; 2 Diamond—Louisiana Gas Association and Whole Foods Market.

LRA Education Foundation offers $60,000 in hospitality scholarships

Scholarship Fund to aid students for fourth consecutive year

The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF), through its LRAEF Scholarship Fund, is now accepting applications through May 21, 2014.

The LRAEF Scholarship Fund was created in 2009 to provide an opportunity to further educate ProStart^® students, culinary/hospitality students, industry employees and educators.  By providing financial support via scholarship funds, recipients are encouraged to select the culinary and/or hospitality fields as a career choice, or to further their career in the industry. With this year’s awards included, the LRAEF Scholarship Fund has gifted $200,000 to eligible students since its inception.

Applicants must be currently enrolled in or accepted to a degree-seeking program related to the hospitality or culinary industries. Scholarship awards may vary based on available funds and are merit-based.  Applicants who have completed ProStart will be eligible for the LRAEF-National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Co-Branded Scholarship. All others will be eligible for the LRAEF General Hospitality Scholarship. 

At the 2013 LRAEF Five Star Futures Gala, 24 students
received scholarships totaling $50,000 to pursue or continue
their culinary and/or hospitality education. 

The top applicant will receive the Jim Funk Scholarship Award. The LRAEF’s most prestigious award, the scholarship is named for former LRA President & CEO Jim Funk, who retired in 2010 after 30 years of service. Funk is a LRAEF co-founder and culinary education champion.

DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED: Available for download here, the application must be completed and postmarked by Wednesday, May 21, 2014.

“The LRAEF is proud to offer monetary assistance to students both beginning and furthering their education in the culinary and hospitality fields,” said LRAEF Executive Director Alice Glenn. “Louisiana is on pace to add a minimum of 17,000 new industry positions over the next 10 years. Our goal is to support young people by providing merit-based financial assistance as they prepare for the many lucrative restaurant careers in Louisiana.”

The LRAEF, a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, exists to enhance the restaurant community through expanded educational and career opportunities, the formation of strategic partnerships and the elevation of professional standards and practices. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Alice Glenn, aglenn@lra.org or (504) 454-2277, ext. 565.

The LRAEF is grateful to its 2014 annual partners: 5 Diamond—Acme Oyster House, Auto-Chlor Services, Louisiana Hospitality Foundation and Louisiana Seafood; 4 Diamond—Performance Foodservice-Caro; 3 Diamond—Atmos Energy, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, Louisiana Culinary Institute, New Orleans Wine & Food Experience and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers; 2 Diamond—Louisiana Gas Association, Whole Foods Market and Chef Paul Prudhomme’s “Sea of Hope”; and 1 Diamond—Entergy.

LRA Education Foundation Awards $51k in Scholarships

Five Star Futures Gala will honor recipients and ProStart Educator of the Year

The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) Board of Directors, through its Scholarship Fund, will award $51,000 in scholarships to 24 students to further their post-secondary culinary educations. The students will be presented with their awards at the 2013 LRAEF Five Star Futures Gala August 3, 2013 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Tickets are available for purchase by visiting www.LRA.org, or by calling (504) 454-2277.

 

The LRAEF Scholarship Fund was created in 2009 to support the continuing education of ProStart^® students, industry educators and other students with an interest in culinary and hospitality studies. This financial support allows the recipients to pursue post-secondary education in the culinary or hospitality fields, with the goal of having them select Louisiana’s restaurant/hospitality industry as a career choice. Since its inception, the Scholarship Fund has awarded $140,000 to deserving students.

The LRAEF/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, graduate of Lakeshore High School, will attend the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University
• Marissa Bourgeois, Lutcher High School/St. James Career & Tech Center, will attend Delgado Community College
• Nicholas Bye, graduate of East Ascension High School, will attend Louisiana Culinary Institute
• Victoria Cart, graduate of Sulphur High School, will attend the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University
• Lauren Fendlason, graduate of Ponchatoula High School/Hammond High Magnet School, will attend the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University
• Caitlin Hall, graduate of Hahnville High School, will attend the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University
• Lauren Hodgson, graduate of Salmen High School, will attend Louisiana Culinary Institute
• Peyton Leffingwell, graduate of Destrehan High School/St. Charles Satellite Center, will attend Delgado Community College
• Nicholas Locicero, graduate of Mandeville High School, will attend Culinary Institute of America
• Melissa McGuire, graduate of Mandeville, will attend the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University
• Thien Nguyen, graduate of Dutchtown High School, will attend the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University
• Christina O’Brien, graduate of Lutcher High School/St. James Career & Tech Center, will attend Louisiana Culinary Institute
• Hillary Scott, graduate of Allen High School (Texas), will attend the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University

The General Hospitality Scholarship is a scholarship given to students who are currently enrolled or have been accepted in a hospitality or culinary degree seeking program. This year’s recipients are:

• Kathryn Barker, graduate of Quitman High School (Mississippi), attending Louisiana Culinary Institute
• Jordale Bergeron, graduate of Livonia High School, attending Louisiana Culinary Institute
• Nicole Biddy, graduate of Gueydan High School, attending Louisiana Culinary Institute
• Jonathan Dent, graduate of Huntington High School/Caddo Career Center & Tech Center, attending the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University
• Lindsay King, graduate of Woodlawn High School, attending Louisiana Culinary Institute
• Mary Lawrence, graduate of Abeka Christian Academy (Home School), attending Louisiana Culinary Institute
• April Lee, graduate of East St. John High School, attending the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University
• Jordan McClelland, graduate of Dutchtown High School, attending Louisiana Culinary Institute
• Angel Parrilla, graduate of East St. John High School, attending Art Institute of Houston
• Keiyana Price, graduate of New Iberia Senior High, attending Louisiana Culinary Institute
• Jamie Warrick, graduate of Warren Easton High School, attending Louisiana Culinary Institute

Top applicant Nicole Biddy is also this year’s Jim Funk Scholarship Award Winner. The LRAEF’s most prestigious award, the scholarship is named for former LRA President & CEO Jim Funk, who retired in 2010 after 30 years of service. Funk is a LRAEF co-founder and culinary education champion.

“The LRAEF Board of Directors is thrilled to reward the hard work of these twenty-four students with funds from our Scholarship Fund,” said LRAEF Chair Fabian Castillo. “Post-secondary education makes a real difference in a future career. We are all very proud of the recipients and know that their commitment to the foodservice industry will make it that much stronger in the coming years.

The night will also feature the LRAEF honoring its ProStart Educator of the Year, Jeryl Fischtzuir of Grace King High School. Fischtzuir was also recently recognized, along with his counterparts from across the country, at the National Restaurant Association’s annual NRA Show in Chicago this past May, for this exemplary dedication to the ProStart program.

The LRAEF would like to thank its ProStart Partners, whose financial assistance makes the LRAEF Scholarship Fund 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; 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.

LRA Education Foundation Offers $50,000 in Hospitality Scholarships

Scholarship Fund to aid students for third consecutive year

The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF), through its LRAEF Scholarship Fund, is accepting applications for its two scholarships—the LRAEF General Hospitality Scholarship and the LRAEF-National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Co-Branded Scholarship.

The LRAEF Scholarship Fund was created in 2009 to provide an opportunity to further educate ProStart^® students, culinary/hospitality students, industry employees and educators by giving financial support via scholarship funds with hopes that the recipients select the culinary and/or hospitality fields as a career choice or continue to work in the industry.

This Fund will allow recipients access to post-secondary education in the culinary and/or hospitality fields or special certificate programs for educators or industry professionals. The scholarships are awarded for one time financial assistance.

General Hospitality Scholarship applicants must be currently enrolled or accepted in a hospitality or culinary degree seeking program such as bachelor and/or associate. 

LRAEF-NRAEF Co-Branded Scholarship applicants must be currently enrolled or accepted in a hospitality or culinary degree seeking program such as bachelor and/or associate. They must also be currently enrolled as a ProStart student or have completed the ProStart Program. 

Both scholarship awards may vary based on available funds and are merit-based.

Available for download at www.LRA.org, both applications must be completed and postmarked by May 3, 2013.

With this year’s awards included, the LRAEF Scholarship Fund has gifted $130,000 to eligible students since its inception.

“The LRAEF is proud to offer monetary assistance to students both beginning and furthering their education in the culinary and general hospitality fields,” said LRAEF Executive Director Alice Glenn. “Louisiana is on pace to add more than 17,000 new industry positions over the next 10 years. Our goal is to continue attracting young people to restaurant careers and providing merit-based financial assistance whenever possible.”

The LRAEF, a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, exists to enhance the restaurant community through expanded educational and career opportunities, the formation of strategic partnerships and the elevation of professional standards and practices. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Alice Glenn, aglenn@lra.org or (504) 454-2277, ext. 565.

The Louisiana ProStart program is grateful to its partners: Diamond- Acme Oyster House, Auto-Chlor Services and the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation; Platinum- Performance Foodservice Caro; and Gold- Louisiana Culinary Institute, Ocean Conservancy and Atmos Energy.

LRA Education Foundation Announces 2013 Leadership

Board of Directors to guide Foundation’s mission in the new year

The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) is pleased to announce its 2013 Board of Directors, which will oversee the goals and mission of the LRAEF.

The LRAEF, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is the philanthropic arm of the Louisiana Restaurant Association and exists to enhance our community through expanded educational and career opportunities, the formation of strategic partnerships and the elevation of the restaurant industry’s professional standards and practices.

The Board of Directors is also responsible for distributing the LRAEF’s scholarship funds that it gifts annually to students pursuing a culinary education. Since 2011, the LRAEF Scholarship Fund has awarded $80,000.

The new members 2013 LRAEF Board of Directors are:

• Dwight Barnes is the Director of Public Relations at Crescent Crown Distributing in New Orleans. The company has been a member of the LRA more than 10 years and Barnes is a very active member of the Greater New Orleans Chapter.
• Lucien Gunter is CEO of Acme Oyster House, with locations in Louisiana and Florida. The restaurant has been a member since 1987 and its employees, including Gunter, have volunteered countless hours to many LRA chapters, while serving in leadership roles.
• Octavio Mantilla is a co-owner of the establishments within the Besh Restaurant Group, based in New Orleans, the oldest being Restaurant August, which has been an LRA member since it opened in 2001. Mantilla is also a GNO Board member and the chapter’s 2^nd Vice President.
• Peter Sclafani is Chef and owner of Ruffino’s Italian Restaurant in Baton Rouge. His restaurant has been an LRA member for three years and in that time, he has been a tireless mentor to ProStart^® students in the Baton Rouge area. Sclafani is also a Greater Baton Rouge Chapter Board member and is currently serving as its Vice President.

They are joining current members:

• Fabian Castillo, Chair- La Casa del Sol, Houma
• Helen LeBourgeois, Vice Chair- TLC Linen Services, New Orleans
• Lenny Raymond, Secretary/Treasurer- Reinhart Foodservice, Harahan
• John Eastman, Past Chair- Auto-Chlor Services, Jefferson
• David Hearn, LRA Chair- Catfish Cabin, Monroe
• Donna Stephenson- ATMOS Energy, Monroe
• Dr. Yvette Green, University of New Orleans (Industry Representative)

“The LRAEF is excited to begin another great year with our dedicated board members,” said LRAEF Executive Director Alice Glenn. “Our directors volunteer countless hours throughout their tenure to the advancement of the Foundation and we are so very grateful.”

The Louisiana ProStart program is grateful to its partners: Diamond- Auto-Chlor Services and the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation; Platinum- Performance Foodservice Caro; and Gold- Louisiana Culinary Institute, Ocean Conservancy and Atmos Energy.

Give the perfect (tax-deductible) gift this season!

December is upon us. The mall parking lots are packed and traffic is as thick as gravy. Finding the perfect gift for the people in your life can be a daunting task, as we well know. No doubt your list has family members, children and friends of various ages on your list. Some are those that have everything, need something specific or have a desire for an item they would never buy for themselves.

The most challenging by far are those dearly beloveds who buy what they want and need whenever they decide. For those who have it all, what can you possible do to wow them, move them to misty eyes or make them tell their friends?

Here is our favorite “culinary-related” idea—after all, we are the Louisiana Restaurant Association…

Bestow the culinary smarts. As the philanthropic foundation of the LRA, the LRA Education Foundation exists to enhance our community through expanded educational and career opportunities. The LRA administers the ProStart program, a two-year, culinary arts and restaurant management curriculum in more than 45 high schools in the state.

Over the last two years, the LRAEF has awarded $80,000 in scholarships to young, aspiring culinarians to study at the college level.  Twice annually, the LRAEF hosts a ProStart Teacher Training to further “educate the educators” bringing in notable chefs, professionals and speakers to inspire, coach and teach them best practices in the classroom and in the kitchen.

Make a donation in someone on your lists’ name and we’ll send them a special holiday note on your behalf. Of course, your gift if tax deductible. Win for you, win for them.

Have a delicious holiday season!

$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.