Yesterday, the IRA Educational Foundation (IRAEF) awarded 45 high school and college students $90,000 in scholarships at the 2021 IRAEF Scholarship Award Ceremony. The event honored those who have shown a commitment to culinary or hospitality management through their coursework, work experience, and other credentials. The annual scholarship celebration took place virtually and was attended by the students, their families, teachers, donors, and IRAEF Board members.
Click here to watch a recording of the celebration.
Deven Rand, IRAEF Trustee and Owner of North American Concessions, was the keynote speaker. Deven lent her expertise and recommended that those starting in the industry create their menu to focus and understand their true passion.
Honorees received scholarships from:
- Charles and Rochelle Trotter Endowment
- Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Scholarship Fund
- EMPLOYERS Scholarship Fund
- Ecolab Scholarship Fund
- Coker Service Inc. Scholarship Fund
- National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship Fund
- Illinois Restaurant Association Scholarship Fund
This year’s scholarship recipients will attend 26 different colleges and universities – a mix of local community/city colleges, state schools, and private institutions throughout the U.S.
Some local and state schools include Bradley University, College of DuPage, DePaul University, Joliet Junior College, Kendall College at National Louis University, Roosevelt University, Southern Illinois University, and Washburne Culinary and Hospitality Institute. Additional out-of-state institutions include Arizona State University, Cornell University, Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales, Purdue University, Shepherds College, and the University of Kentucky.
