Meet WebstaurantStore's 2021 Diversity Scholarship Winner
Last updated on Jun 28, 2022Corrinn McCauley
Name: Juan Luis De Coss
Age: 37
Hometown: New York City
Program: Pastry Arts at The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
“Can we have cake for breakfast?” is a question Juan Luis De Coss repeatedly asked his mother as a child, but he was the one making the sweets! Even more surprising, Juan was self-taught and didn’t come from a family of cooks or bakers. Watching the sacrifices and long hours his mother worked to support him as a single parent, Juan stepped into the kitchen to help. They didn’t have money for expensive ingredients, so Juan learned to use the basics of sugar, butter, flour, and whatever else he could find in the kitchen to create decadence.
More than a labor of love, baking was a source of joy for Juan. His best memories all share one commonality: pastries. The way he describes his childhood experiences in Mexico enjoying sweet treats is enough to make anyone drool. But the desserts represented more than indulgence to Juan. Each sweet treat was synonymous with family, home, holidays, birthdays, and traditions. “It is my dream to one day make a signature baked good like these, which will make memories for others and hopefully bring love and joy to many as they did to me.”
When he moved to New York City, his taste buds collided with a slew of new flavors. From donuts to gingerbread, his pallet readily expanded. He fell in love with carrot cake and tried making it from scratch. Over the years, he’s perfected his carrot cake, and it remains his favorite recipe to prepare. However, his greatest passion is for his first love: the authentic Mexican flavors of his childhood.
Earning his Pastry Arts degree from The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is preparing Juan to create innovative recipes and flavor combinations that imbue groundbreaking pastries with the traditional Mexican flavors of his heritage. After hearing the founder of an artisanal Mexican sweets shop in NYC, Fanny Gerson, present as a digital guest chef, Juan knew The Auguste Escoffier School was the right fit for him. “I aspire to do the same as her and share my Mexican culture through my baking. I wish to bring new flavors to many, enlighten their palates, and teach them about my culture to bring people together.”
The WebstaurantStore scholarship is helping Juan complete the second half of his culinary school journey. Having built a firm foundation, we’re excited to see the innovative baked goods he creates and the joy they spread. From entrepreneurship to teaching, and potentially entering a TV baking competition, Juan has big plans for his future. “I wish to teach others about baking, and help those who may not have the opportunities that I’ve had. I wish to become someone in the pastry world and make a mark.” At heart, Juan is still the little boy who supported his mother by baking for her. Juan concluded his list of goals with, “Last but certainly not least, I wish to make my mom proud and be able to work and take care of her the way she did for me. She deserves everything I'm working for and so I do it for her. ”
Related Resources
Becoming a Pastry Chef: From Student to Professional
Nowadays, there are a lot of television shows about cakes, pastries, and desserts. It can be easy to fall into fantasies about sparkling sweet confections, drizzled with chocolate and sculpted from fondant. However, becoming a pastry chef is hard work. You'll have to create a variety of pastries and gain experience using different pastry supplies. In addition, if you don’t receive a scholarship, there can be a heavy financial burden. Before you take the leap into a new career, it’s a good idea to do some research first. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to attend baking and pastry school, the best way to get a sense of the experience is to talk with someone who’s lived it. We had the pleasure of interviewing Kajal Narang, who graduated from the pastry program at L’Academie de Cuisine and is now working as a pastry chef at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. Her journey from pastry student to pastry chef required a lot of hard work and dedication. Through this interview, she gave us an idea of what it’s really like to attend pastry school, and what advice becomes especially useful as you enter a career in this industry. Pastry Chef FAQs We asked Kajal some of the most common questions an aspiring pastry chef might have before enrolling in a culinary program. Here’s what she had to say. Q: How long is pastry school? A: The pastry program at my school was only 1 year long and 6 months of that year was at an externship at a hotel, restaurant, or catering company of your choice. 6 months will give you the foundation you need, but it won't make you an expert in all things pastry (or savory). Working on your skills outside of school will only help you succeed further in the industry. Q: What hours do pastry chefs work? A: Sometimes I have 15 hour days because as soon as I get out of school, I go to work at a bakery. By the time I get off work, my back hurts and my feet are aching, but I live for that feeling. I thrive off of the exhaustion and it feels like an adrenaline rush. It takes up most of my day so I don’t sit around all day watching Food Network, just dreaming of making those dishes. Q: How much experience is required going into pastry school? A: I know there are some of you out there who don’t know whether or not to choose culinary school because of your level of experience. While experience is probably one of the most important things in food service, it is called culinary school for a reason; if you knew everything, then you wouldn’t be there. I’m not very experienced myself, but I learn new things every single day. I firmly believe that if you are passionate about cooking or baking, then culinary school is definitely the way to go. Going to culinary school has helped me get a basic understanding and knowledge of pastry. It laid out a foundation for me that has ultimately helped to shape my career into what it is today. I was provided with the tools and knowledge from some great instructors to kick-start my career in the industry. I feel that going to culinary school has helped me learn and understand the functions of ingredients and which flavor profiles work and don't work together. Q: What is the best part of pastry school? A: The one thing that I love about the food industry, other than the food itself, is the people. I’ve never been at a school where I see ages range so widely. Anyone can enter the food industry at any age. I encounter people of all different skill levels and different walks of life, and it’s great! I personally love meeting new people, so working with my classmates or eating lunch with the culinary students is always a blast. I love hearing others’ opinions about food and school, because everyone’s view is different. Additional Tips for Success in Pastry School Arrive early and help out whenever or wherever you are needed. Develop relationships with instructors as well as classmates. These are the people that will help you and motivate you to succeed in the industry. Keep up with the notes and homework. Making delicious pastries is only one part of culinary school; writing recipes and maintaining your notebook is a big part of your grade. Work hard and stay humble. Graduating from culinary school doesn't automatically make you a chef. Know when to ask for help and realize that the chefs that you are working with or learning from have worked long and hard to get to where they are today; learn as much as you can from them. As you can see, becoming a pastry chef requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and long hours. But if you truly have a passion for the craft and are willing to put in the time and effort, pastry school can be a rewarding experience. We are glad to hear that Kajal is enjoying her career and we wish her all the best for her future. Rolling Pin Shop Now Flour Sifter Shop Now Measuring Spoons Shop Now Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Shop Now
How to Start a Bakery
Whether you dream of opening a donut shop or a boulangerie, starting a bakery allows you to serve niche markets and express culinary creativity without taking on the financial burden of opening a restaurant. You can even start your bakery business from home before investing in a commercial space. While bakeries are comparatively accessible foodservice businesses, they present unique challenges. From writing a bakery business plan to getting funding and filing for permits, we walk you through each step of opening a bakery. Shop All Bakery Supplies Jump to a specific step of opening a bakery: Choose Your Bakery Style Write a Bakery Business Plan Get Startup Loans Lease a Bakery Location Bakery Permits and Licenses Order Bakery Equipment Design a Bakery Layout Hire Bakery Staff Advertise Your Bakery Host a Bakery Grand Opening How to Start a Baking Business Whether you're passionate about creating decoratively frosted cakes or artisan sourdough loaves, you must create an action plan for turning your passion for baking into a business. Discover the steps of opening a bakery below. 1. Choose a Bakery Style While there are many bakery business models, they all fall under one of two umbrella categories: retail and wholesale. Retail and wholesale bakeries make similar products, but they have different needs and customer bases. Opening and Operating a Retail Bakery Retail bakeries are the most common type of bakery; they sell baked goods and loaves of bread directly to customers. Retail bakeries come in many different forms, and they often specialize in a particular type of baked good. They require both front- and back-of-house space. Types of Retail Bakeries Discover the most popular retail bakery business models below: Bakery Cafe - This type of bakery is a combination of a bakery and cafe, and they typically sell baked goods like bread, pastries, and cookies. They also pair their baked goods with coffee and tea. Bakery cafes typically have a dining space where customers can sit and eat. Counter Service - While counter service bakeries have a front-of-house, most do not have a dining space. Instead, they have a counter where guests can order freshly baked goods to take home. Bakery Food Trucks - Rather than using a brick-and-mortar store, food truck bakeries sell their products from a mobile truck. Due to the small space, many bakery food trucks do not bake in their truck, instead opting to bake their products ahead of time in a commissary kitchen or home bakery. Specialty Bakeries - A specialty bakery typically focuses on one type of baked good, such as wedding cakes, cupcakes, or gluten-free baked goods. This type of bakery can excel because they offer niche products that customers either cannot find elsewhere or that are better than the products offered at less-specialized bakeries. Home Bakeries - This type of bakery is becoming more common, especially because you don't need a lot of startup capital or culinary experience to open a home bakery. Home bakeries typically market their products online and then ship them to customers. Many home bakeries are also very niche or offer twists on classic baked goods. Opening and Operating a Wholesale Bakery The other main type of bakery is a wholesale bakery. Rather than selling their products directly to customers, wholesale bakeries market their baked goods to businesses like grocery stores, restaurants, delis, and cafes. Because wholesale bakeries have to meet the demands of commercial customers, they are typically larger than retail bakeries. Wholesale bakeries don't need to have a front-of-house or a desirable, high-traffic location. However, wholesale bakeries must produce high volumes of baked goods. This requires a large space and lots of baking equipment, resulting in higher startup costs. Back to Top 2. Write a Bakery Business Plan The first step in opening your new establishment should be to write a bakery business plan. The business plan is an integral part of starting a bakery business because it lays out what type of bakery you want to open, how it's going to be structured, what sort of products you're going to sell, marketing strategies, and financial projections. There are seven main sections to a bakery business plan: Executive Summary Company Overview and Description Market Analysis Business Offerings Management Plan and Ownership Structure Marketing and Advertising Strategy Financial Projections Your business plan serves as the foundation for your business, and a strong plan can help you get funding and make the process of opening a new bakery easy. Back to Top 3. Obtain Loans and Startup Capital When starting a bakery, there are many costs that you'll need to consider, such as leasing a commercial space, getting insurance, outfitting your space with equipment, hiring and training staff, stocking your kitchen, and paying for utilities. As a result, you'll need to have a significant amount of money available to cover these costs. Additionally, it may take a few months after opening for your bakery to become profitable, so you'll need cash on hand to cover costs for several months after opening. If you’re wondering how to open a bakery with no money, you'll need to take out loans. There are three common ways business owners get funding: commercial loans, business lines of credit, and small business loans. Traditional Commercial Loan - You can apply for a traditional commercial loan at any major or local bank. This type of loan has lower interest rates and provides access to large amounts of capital. However, it requires you to have a high credit score. You may have to wait for months to access the money. Business Line of Credit - A line of credit is similar to a credit card. You get approved to use up to a certain amount, but you're only charged for the amount you use. Additionally, as you pay off the balance, you can access more credit. But, a line of credit doesn't allow you to access as much money as other loan types and requires a higher lending standard. Small Business Loan - Created by the Small Business Association, a small business loan is a type of loan that aims to protect small businesses and provide them with startup capital. Small business loans typically have lower interest rates and are available to people with borderline credit. They require collateral and may take longer to be approved than other loan types. Cost to Open a Bakery Bakery startup costs range between $10,000 and $50,000. The vast startup cost price range reflects the diverse array of bakeries. How much money you need to start a bakery depends on its location, equipment, staffing requirements, and menu items. Back to Top 4. Lease a Commercial Bakery Space Once you've secured funding, you can start looking for a commercial space for your bakery. The type of commercial space you need depends on the type of bakery you're opening. For example, if you're opening a food truck bakery, you'll need to purchase the truck and you may want to look into renting space in a commissary kitchen. Retail bakeries will want to look for a space in a central location close to their target demographic that also has a front-of-house area. Because wholesale bakeries sell their products to businesses rather than customers, they can be located farther from the city center or populated areas. Best Place to Open a Bakery The best place to open a bakery is at an accessible location near your suppliers and your target demographic. Regardless of the type of bakery you're opening, there are universal considerations for where you start your bakery business. Consider the following in your bakery location analysis: Demographics Accessibility Proximity to Suppliers Competition Size and Space Requirements Health Regulations and Zoning Safety and Crime Rates Once you've found a suitable location for your business, you can hire a lawyer to draw up and negotiate a lease with the landlord. To protect yourself from any potential issues when negotiating a lease, be sure to specify the length of the lease, any raises in rent that might be included, who will pay for potential renovations, and any utilities that are covered. Back to Top 5. Obtain Bakery Licenses and Permits The foodservice industry is heavily regulated on a federal, state, and local level, and there are some bakery licenses and permits you need to start your baking business. The types of permits you'll need will vary depending on your location, so be sure to check your local laws and regulations to see if there are any specific laws that apply to your new business. Back to Top 6. Order Bakery Equipment The equipment that your bakery will need depends on what type of baked goods you will be preparing. For example, you may need specific pastry supplies to create French pastries. While the specific equipment may change depending on the size and type of your bakery, there are several purposes you need to fill: Dough Preparation - This includes equipment like commercial mixers, work tables for kneading, dough dividers, dough sheeters, and dough scales. You may also need holding cabinets, proofing cabinets, retarder/proofer combos, and refrigerators to prepare your dough. Storage - Storage is important for keeping your kitchen organized. Your bakery will require shelving and storage racks. If you're working with bulky bags of flour and sugar, you should invest in trucks, dollies, and carts to move large bags around your kitchen. Baking Equipment - Convection ovens are a great all-purpose piece of bakery equipment because they provide dry heat and bake evenly. If you're preparing a lot of artisan bread, you may want to choose a deck oven to give your products a crispy base. Wholesale bakeries may be looking for high-output ovens, such as roll-in rack ovens or revolving ovens. Display and Sales Equipment - Choosing the right display cases for your baked goods can help boost your sales. You can choose self-service or full-service cases, and there are refrigerated and unrefrigerated options, depending on your needs. In addition to your display cases, be sure to also choose stylish boxes and packaging for your baked goods. Cleaning and Warewashing Supplies - A 3-compartment sink is the centerpiece of any cleaning station. You must also order hand washing stations for your employees, disposable gloves, cleaning chemicals, sponges, scrubbers, and other essential cleaning items. Bakery Smallwares In addition to your large equipment, you must stock your bakery with smallwares, such as mixing bowls, storage boxes, whisks, bread knives, and aprons. We compiled a list of essential bakery equipment to ensure you don't forget anything. You can download the opening a bakery checklist PDF below: Download Baker Smallwares Checklist PDF Back to Top 7. Layout Your Bakery After securing a location and deciding what equipment is needed to start your new bakery, you can plan your bakery kitchen organization. If your bakery has a front-of-house area, you will need to design a floor plan. Learn how to lay out your bakery kitchen and storefront below. Commercial Bakery Kitchen Layout Every bakery kitchen requires four sections: cleaning, storage, food preparation, and meal cooking. Bakery cafes and bakeries with a front-of-house area will also have a service station, where they deliver food to customers. The ideal bakery kitchen layout is determined by the space and the placement of water and gas lines. Organize your bakery kitchen so the four sections flow together and measure your space to make sure you have enough room for your bakery equipment before finalizing your kitchen plan. You will want to lay out your kitchen based on the logical flow of food through the baking process. This starts with the storage area and then goes to the food preparation and meal cooking sections. Once you’ve prepared your baked goods, you can serve them to your customers, package them for display, or ship them to online customers. Finally, your dirty dishes, pots, and pans will end up at the cleaning station. Commercial Bakery Storefront Layout Some bakeries will have a front-of-house area where customers can browse their selection of baked goods. Optimizing your bakery floor plan for ideal product placement and customer comfort prompts purchases. Bakery Layout There are four main bakery layouts, each with its own unique benefits. Straight Bakery Floor Plan - Your bakery display cases are organized in straight lines to make it easy for customers to browse. Angular Bakery Floor Plan - This floor plan uses curved displays to create an upscale presentation. Diagonal Bakery Floor Plan - A diagonal floor plan allows customers to flow through your bakery. Mixed Bakery Floor Plan - Maximize your space by using a combination of all the bakery floor plans. Back to Top 8. Hire and Train Bakery Staff The size of your staff will depend on the scale and style of your bakery. A locally owned and operated bakery with just one location is likely to have a short chain of command. Retail bakeries must hire and train front-of-house staff to take orders and work the cash register. However, most of your bakery staff will work in the back-of-house, preparing your baked goods. Your bakery should have at least one or two employees that have formal training or bakery experience to oversee the actual baking process. You may also want to hire unskilled workers for washing dishes, mixing ingredients, packaging products, and doing other tasks that don't require previous experience or expertise. Some bakeries will also need professional pastry chefs and personnel to complete delicate and specialized tasks. For example, bakeries that bake wedding cakes should look for experienced cake decorators. Bakeries that offer artisan breads should consider hiring someone who specializes in bread baking. Back to Top 9. Market and Advertise Your Bakery Before you open your bakery to the public, you must conduct some marketing and advertising campaigns to get the word out and create buzz. You can break your bakery marketing strategy into five general steps: Conduct market research. The first step in a marketing campaign is to conduct market research and determine your target market. This includes information like the demographics around your bakery, any competitors, and niche markets you can fill. Once you have an idea about who your target market is, you can develop strategies for attracting them. Write a market analysis. Your market analysis is a summary of your market research, and it should go in your bakery's business plan. It should include information such as the average income level in your area, discretionary spending among your target market, and your competitor's prices. Set goals for your marketing campaign. Create realistic goals for your bakery and its marketing and advertising campaign. For example, set goals for how many followers you want to gain on your social media accounts and how many sales you want to get in a month. Determine how you want to advertise your business. There are many ways you can advertise your bakery and each has its benefits. If you're in an urban area, using signs is a great and affordable option. Consider traditional advertising tactics, such as newspaper advertisements and flyers. Create a social media presence. Social media marketing is a great way to interact with your customers, create buzz, and advertise your grand opening and other events. Additionally, many people will look for your bakery's website and social media accounts before deciding if they want to visit, so make sure that you have an active online presence. Many of these tactics apply to retail bakeries, but marketing tactics differ for wholesale bakeries. Wholesale bakeries should focus on competitor analysis and research where local restaurants and grocery stores source their baked goods. Then, they can reach out and try to make a deal. Back to Top 10. Host a Grand Opening The final step in opening a bakery is to host your grand opening and welcome customers to your business. A successful grand opening can get your new bakery off to a good start and help generate loyal customers. You should advertise your grand opening to create interest and alert your target audience that your bakery is open for business. One great way to get customers in your bakery for your grand opening is to offer discounts and specials. For example, you can offer discounts for the first 100 people to visit. Another option is to give customers who order a dozen cupcakes one cupcake for free. You can also offer free samples to encourage customers to make purchases and expose them to more of your products. Back to Top Do You Need a Culinary Degree to Open a Bakery? You don’t have to have a culinary degree or a bachelor’s degree in business to own a bakery. However, having hands-on experience or academic knowledge of both the baking and business management aspects of owning a bakery will help you succeed. Having a formal education may help you attract investors and banks to garner the startup capital you need to open your bakery. Consider getting a certification from the Retail Bakers of America (RBA). The RBA certification verifies your knowledge, skills, and abilities without the hefty time and financial commitment of culinary school. Starting a bakery presents unique opportunities and challenges from starting a traditional restaurant. Creating a detailed business plan, following it precisely, and keeping your documents organized will help get your business off to a good start. Reference back to our guide to ensure your bakery launch goes smoothly. <aside class="pquote"> <blockquote> The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Please refer to our Content Policy for more details. </blockquote> </aside>
Hospitality Scholarships
From the joy of savoring a delicious meal to the memories of staying at a five-star hotel, the hospitality industry makes life richer and better for us all. Mastering the crafts that create these experiences comes at no small price. The cost of education can be a significant barrier for many students who dream of pursuing a career in the hospitality industry. Thankfully, many scholarship opportunities are available to help aspiring hospitality professionals achieve their goals. We will explore some of the best hospitality industry scholarships. Click the links below to skip to the hospitality or culinary scholarship that most interests you: WebstaurantStore Scholarships James Beard Foundation Scholarships C-CAP Scholarships Les Dames d’Escoffier Scholarships American Culinary Federation Scholarships The National Restaurant Association Scholarships Food Dreams Scholarships AHLA Foundation Scholarships Yum-O! Scholarship The Trotter Project Scholarships WebstaurantStore Scholarships WebstaurantStore scholarships are an excellent opportunity for students majoring in culinary arts, hospitality management, or a closely related field. As part of our commitment to supporting hospitality professionals, we offer two $5,000 grants to eligible students to help further their education. One of the standout features of our scholarships is they are open to students at various stages of their educational journey. Whether you've already begun your secondary education or you're in the exciting early stages of choosing the right program, you can still apply for our scholarships. We recognize the value of non-traditional educational paths and believe everyone should have equal access to opportunities. As such, our scholarships are open to students who achieved their diplomas through a GED program or non-traditional learning environment. The WebstaurantStore Hospitality Scholarship: awards a $5,000 grant to assist one bright student each year in pursuing their dream of becoming a chef, restaurant owner, or hospitality professional. It is open to any student, regardless of ethnicity, race, or background. WebstaurantStore Diversity Scholarship: awards a $5,000 grant to an exemplary ethnic minority student seeking an education in the hospitality industry. We believe in fostering diversity and inclusion, and this scholarship aims to support students from underrepresented backgrounds. James Beard Foundation Scholarships The James Beard Foundation, named after the renowned American chef and food writer James Beard, is a non-profit organization that celebrates, nurtures, and honors America's diverse culinary heritage. Established in 1986, the foundation is committed to providing resources, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities to aspiring chefs and culinary professionals. Recipients of these scholarships gain access to a vast network of industry leaders who can provide guidance and support throughout their culinary journey. Many scholarship recipients get to participate in exclusive events, workshops, and culinary experiences organized by the James Beard Foundation. By offering these scholarships, the James Beard Foundation aims to foster diversity, innovation, and excellence in the culinary industry. Through financial support and mentorship, the foundation empowers the next generation of culinary professionals to make a lasting impact on the culinary world. The James Beard Foundation offers three types of awards: Scholarships: Their scholarships are cash grants that apply to tuition. Tuition Waivers: Certain educational institutions offer tuition waivers in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. The waiver may be for one full year or additional years of training. Work Study Grants: The Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study program offers grants to working culinary professionals. C-CAP Scholarships Founded in 1990, the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) is a workforce development nonprofit that provides culinary and life skills to over 20,000 middle and high school students annually. C-CAP's scholarship program is the largest independent culinary/hospitality scholarship program in the country. They partner with 36 post-secondary educational institutions to help students further their education and training in culinary arts and hospitality management without taking on insurmountable debt. By partnering with reputable institutions, C-CAP provides scholarship recipients access to high-quality education and industry-specific training. The C-CAP recognizes the importance of providing financial support to talented individuals who may not have the means to pursue higher education in the culinary arts. Each institution they partner with offers a different level of scholarship. They have several partners who offer full-tuition scholarships, including the New School of Cooking, the Institute of Culinary Education, The Culinary Institute of America, and the International Culinary Center. Les Dames d’Escoffier Scholarships Founded in 1976, Les Dames d’Escoffier supports women in the culinary arts and hospitality industry. Les Dames d’Escoffier (LDNY) has 44 chapters in the USA, Canada, Mexico, France, Italy, and the UK. One of the key focuses of Les Dames d’Escoffier is advocating against sexual harassment and other problems women face in the culinary arts and hospitality industry. The organization believes in creating a safe and inclusive environment for women to thrive and succeed in their careers. By raising awareness and providing resources, Les Dames d’Escoffier aims to combat these issues and create positive change within the industry. In addition to advocacy, Les Dames d’Escoffier provides financial support to women who aspire to pursue careers in the culinary arts. Since 1977, the organization has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to over 1,000 recipients. These scholarships help women overcome financial barriers and pursue their dreams in the culinary arts and hospitality industry. LDNY’s Mentoring Program is another valuable resource provided by Les Dames d’Escoffier. After they award a scholarship, the Mentoring Committee reviews and matches each recipient to a Dame in her chosen career field. This one-on-one mentoring relationship allows recipients to receive guidance, support, and advice from experienced professionals. American Culinary Federation Scholarships Established in 1929, the American Culinary Federation (ACF) is a premier professional chefs’ organization with more than 14,000 members spread across over 170 chapters nationwide. One of the key offerings of the ACF is its regional and national events, which provide professionals in the culinary industry with opportunities to network, learn from industry experts, and stay updated with the latest trends and techniques. Additionally, the ACF offers certifications that validate the skills and knowledge of culinary professionals, helping them stand out in a competitive industry. To further support culinary professionals in their educational pursuits, the ACF collaborates with the American Academy of Chefs (AAC) to offer scholarships through the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation. These scholarships are available for apprenticeship programs, certificate programs, and post-secondary degree programs. Apprenticeship Program Scholarships: the ACF Education Foundation offers scholarships of up to $1,500. Certificate Program Scholarships: the ACF Education Foundation offers scholarships of up to $1,500 for those pursuing a certificate program. Post-Secondary Degree Scholarships: The ACF Education Foundation offers scholarships of up to $2,500 for those pursuing a post-secondary degree. Back to Top The National Restaurant Association Scholarships The National Restaurant Association is a professional organization that caters to restaurant owners and managers. It offers various aids and programs that advance the careers of hospitality professionals. The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center: They partnered with the Department of Labor (DOL) to establish the first nationally recognized and credentialed apprenticeship program in the hospitality industry. This program is best suited for businesses that don’t have a formal employee training program or are seeking supplemental, hands-on guidance and mentorship to add to their current training. HOPES: This program provides employment opportunities to individuals formerly involved in the justice system. By offering training and support, HOPES helps these individuals break the cycle of incarceration and find meaningful employment in the hospitality industry. ProStart®: This is a nationwide, two-year high school program. ProStart® reaches approximately 130,000 students in over 1,700 high schools across 50 states, Guam, and the District of Columbia. It offers a comprehensive curriculum covering a variety of topics, from culinary techniques to management skills. ProStart® provides students with real-life experience opportunities, such as internships and competitions, allowing them to build practical skills that will benefit them in their future careers. Food Dreams Scholarships The Food Dreams Scholarship is a program offered by a non-profit organization that is dedicated to bridging the gap between underprivileged students and the working culinary community. Founded in 2016, this organization aims to help these students access culinary education and provide them with various externships, mentorships, and career opportunities. One of the key offerings of the Food Dreams Scholarship is its availability at some of the finest culinary schools in America. Students who are accepted into this program have the chance to attend prestigious culinary institutions such as the Culinary Institute of America and the Institute of Culinary Education. The Food Dreams Scholarship provides an extensive post-graduate mentorship program. Recipients will leave school and have guaranteed entry-level positions in one of Jean-Georges' restaurants worldwide, gaining invaluable hands-on experience and learning from some of the best in the industry. AHLA Foundation Scholarships The AHLA Foundation exists to help the hotel industry recruit, retain, and advance its employees. They are accomplishing this goal through scholarship initiatives and career development programs. The AHLA Foundation spends over a million dollars on academic scholarships annually. They offer two types of scholarships: self-nominated and school-nominated: Self-Nominated Scholarships: Any student currently enrolled in a US college or university and seeking a hospitality-related degree can apply directly to AHLA to access over $500,000 in scholarships. The following scholarships are available to any hospitality student: Hyatt Minority, American Express, Ecolab, Incoming Freshman, Banks Brown Graduate, and Opening Doors to Opportunity Scholarships. School-Nominated Scholarships: Schools affiliated with the AHLA foundation select students to receive AHLA’s Academic Scholarship Program, Community College Scholarship Program, Arthur J. Packard, and Rama Scholarships. Any student nominated by their school is encouraged to also apply for a self-nominated scholarship through the AHLA foundation. Yum-O! Scholarships Launched in 2006, Yum-o! is a nonprofit organization by renowned chef and television personality Rachael Ray. It's dedicated to empowering kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking. Yum-o! has three main initiatives: cook, feed, and fund. The 'fund' initiative helps aspiring culinary professionals reach their food-related career goals. Yum-o! partners with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to fund scholarships for students enrolling in restaurant or food service-related programs. This financial support enables students to pursue their passion for the culinary arts and turn their dreams into reality. To be eligible for a Yum-o! scholarship, applicants must be a high school senior, GED graduate, ProStart student, or first-time freshman enrolling in a restaurant or food service-related program. The Trotter Project Scholarships The Trotter Project scholarships provide opportunities for potential culinary arts students, hospitality management students, and baking/pastry arts students to receive financial support for their education. With the financial support provided by The Trotter Project Scholarships, students can focus on honing their skills, expanding their knowledge, and making meaningful contributions to the culinary and hospitality industries. These scholarships recognize the talent and dedication of deserving students and serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of Chef Charlie Trotter and his commitment to excellence in the culinary arts. The Charlie Trotter Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship: This scholarship offers deserving culinary arts and baking/pastry students attending any accredited college or university in the United States up to $10,000 to follow in the footsteps of one of the industry's most iconic figures. Chef Charlie Trotter was known for his innovative approach to cooking and his dedication to pushing the boundaries of culinary excellence. The Homaro Cantu Scholarship: Hospitality management students may also be recognized through The Trotter Project. Named in honor of The Trotter Project's founding president, Homaro Cantu, this scholarship provides up to $10,000 in financial assistance to hospitality management students. The only requirement to apply is attending an accredited college or university in the U.S. Back to Top Whether you're trying to decide whether you should apply to culinary school or you're midway through your program, use this list of hospitality scholarships to gain valuable financial assistance. Debt doesn't have to be part of pursuing your dreams. There are multiple organizations and opportunities to help you complete your education and provide post-graduate mentorship.
