METAIRIE, La.—The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s (LRAEF) second annual recognition event, “Serving the Future—Celebrating Careers in Hospitality,” will be held Monday, February 26, 2018 at Generations Hall in New Orleans, 6-9 p.m.

This event honors the 2018 LRAEF Scholarship Award winners and the LRAEF’s partner organizations. It will feature delicious food from some of the most popular restaurants in the New Orleans area and some fun surprises for scholarship recipients and the high school students in town for the 2018 Louisiana ProStart® Student Invitational. ProStart is a nationwide, two-year program for high school students designed to develop the best and brightest young talent into tomorrow's industry leaders. This two-day annual competition features ProStart teams from across the state competing in separate culinary and restaurant management components for a chance to win scholarships to culinary and hospitality-focused post-secondary schools. The students also compete to represent the state at the National ProStart Invitational in Providence, Rhode Island in April.

“Serving the Future” will feature two emcees, married chefs Cody and Samantha Carroll, who own Hot Tails Restaurant in New Roads and Sac-a-Lait in New Orleans. As Louisiana Culinary Institute alumni, they represent the success a former culinary student can achieve in the restaurant industry. They will lead the ceremony that will recognize 20 students who will receive $48,000 in scholarships from the LRAEF Scholarship Fund. Created in 2009, this fund has awarded $438,000 to deserving students interested in furthering their education to support a career in the culinary, hospitality, or other related industries.

During the evening, students and scholarship winners will be able to take photos with notable guest chefs and restaurant operators and enjoy music by a DJ and great food from such restaurants as Acme Oyster House, Dat Dog, Commander’s Palace and Plum Street Snoballs, just to name a few. Party favors will include a the perfect “selfie” from photo booth company, Geaux Selfie.

“We are so excited to bring this unique event to our scholarship winners and ProStart students,” said LRAEF Executive Director Alison Greffenius. “‘Serving the Future’ is all about honoring the future leaders of our industry in a fun atmosphere that high school and college students can appreciate.”

This event would not be possible without the support of the “Serving the Future” sponsors. They are:

  • The Epicureans: B&G Food Enterprises, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, Republic National Distributing Company and Sysco Foodservice of New Orleans
  • The Connoisseurs: Cajun Corner, Centerplate, Community Coffee Company, Crescent Crown Distributing, Jones Walker, LRA Acadiana Chapter, LRA Bayou Chapter, LRA Greater Baton Rouge Chapter, LRA Northeast Chapter, Reily Foods Company, TLC Linen Services, Zea Restaurant & Bar and Barbara Freiberg
  • The Aficionados: A&L Sales, A La Carte Foods, Arnaud’s Restaurant, Caire Hotel & Restaurant Supply, Capital One, Dickie Brennan & Company, Galatoire’s Restaurant, Gillis, Ellis & Baker and Leidenheimer Baking Company
  • In-Kind Sponsor: Generations Hall

2018 LRAEF Annual Partners: Five Diamond- Acme Oyster House, Auto-Chlor System, Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Louisiana Hospitality Foundation and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers; Four Diamond- Performance Foodservice- Caro; Three Diamond- Baton Rouge Epicurean Society and Delaware North;Two Diamond-Louisiana Gas Association and One Diamond- Katie’s Restaurant and Patrick J. Gros, CPA. The LRAEF would also like to thank the nine chapters of the LRA for their support throughout the year.

ProStart is a registered trademark of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

ProStart is a two-year, culinary management program for high school juniors and seniors with a curriculum designed to teach students culinary techniques as well as restaurant management skills. ProStart is in 58 high schools statewide and more than 2,000 students participate in the program.  

The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation exists to enhance the industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement and promotion of career opportunities.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association is one of the largest business organizations in the state, representing restaurant operations and related businesses. The restaurant industry in Louisiana is one the state’s largest private employers, providing jobs to 207,700 residents. Restaurants in Louisiana are expected to generate sales of $9 billion in 2018. Get up-to-date news about the LRA and the restaurant industry fromwww.lra.org.                

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Media Contacts:
Erica P. Burns
Louisiana Restauraunt Association | (504) 636-6516
eburns@lra.org