National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF)

Over a million students have passed through ProStart over the years—and you never know when you might encounter one. We recently caught an old episode of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on Food Network over the weekend and the owner of Double Dubs in Wyoming credited his ProStart Program educator with teaching him how to cook—proof that mentorship fuels the future of the restaurant industry. 🌟 Stream the full episode on Hulu: Season 42, episode 14: "Chicken, Steak, and Cake." In 2021, we proudly named Guy Fieri our Ambassador of Hospitality, honoring his lifelong commitment to uplifting restaurant workers and shaping the industry’s next generation.

"From restaurants to lodging and hotels, industry apprenticeships offer young people an invaluable head start, helping them acquire hands-on skills, build their confidence, and find fulfillment in work they might not have considered otherwise." —Dave Dittenber, Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association 🙌 At NRAEF, we believe in providing opportunities to all to help build our industries & communities better. Check out this opinion piece from Dave Dittenber about the impact and power of apprenticeships: https://bit.ly/3QBkZcm

In the March edition of the RHLC Newsletter we celebrate the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association getting the NRAEF occupations approved by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, check out the Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation Apprenticeship Implementation site, hear from Chef Simone Guidry with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and highlight Yum Village, Chicken N Pickle's first cohort of apprentices, as well as our February partners and more. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) U.S. Department of Labor #apprenticeship #culinary #hospitality

Interested in learning more about the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF)'s apprenticeship programs for Line Cook, Assistant Kitchen Manager (NEW), Kitchen Manager, Assistant Restaurant Manager (NEW) and Restaurant Manager?  Sign up our upcoming virtual info sessions to learn more: ➡️ Wednesday, March 5 at 3PM (EST): https://bit.ly/439rLxa   ➡️ Wednesday, March 19 at 11AM (EST): https://bit.ly/4i7Prq2   U.S. Department of Labor #apprenticeships  #culinary

Award-worthy bites for Hollywood’s biggest night! 🏆 Each year, Wolfgang Puck rolls out a dazzling menu for the Oscars, blending British classics with his iconic dishes. It’s a shining example of how culinary skills—like those gained through the EF’s programs—can lead to endless opportunities in our industry. Get a taste of what’s on the A-list menu this year. ⬇️

We're proud to support all branches of our military while in service and in transition with programs to support their military development and transition skills needed for restaurant & foodservice jobs, designed to help members of the military community and their families seamlessly enter the industry’s workforce and reduce veteran unemployment. Learn more about our military programs: https://bit.ly/4hnuNCo

The ProStart Program is cooking up the future of the restaurant industry. 🔥 In Minnesota alone, over 13,000 students across 70 schools are participating in the program, preparing them for successful careers in hospitality. Get to know these chefs and how their skills are helping shape our industry from the The Minnesota Star Tribune ⬇️

LAST CHANCE 🍽 Join MFHA - The Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance leader Erika Cospy Carr for a free webinar on building cultural intelligence and creating a more inclusive workplace, happening TOMORROW at 2 PM EST. Register now: https://bit.ly/3EhlhC4

Join us in shaping the future of our workforce at MFHA - The Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance's first 2025 Roundtable session in Louisville, KY: Winning the War for Industry Talent, March 10-11, hosted by Texas Roadhouse. At this event, we'll address a key industry challenge, attracting and retaining top talent. We'll explore strategies to foster engaged workplaces, minimize turnover, and build high-performing teams with insights tailored to the restaurant and hospitality industries. Hope to see you there: https://bit.ly/3WEs6Ux

Amy Shipshock, our lead culinary manager, recently participated in a webinar hosted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). Coined “Culinary and Beyond” – the event spotlighted how #NRAEF scholarships are shaping the future of foodservice.   Amy has been a huge advocate for Rich’s NRAEF scholarship recipients, helping them to hone their skills and grow. Reflecting on her own career journey, Amy shared how the foodservice industry has opened the door to so many amazing opportunities. From working as a pastry chef and teaching to food styling and R&D, each experience has shaped her journey and she loves passing that on to the next generation of foodservice professionals. Thank you, Amy for your dedication and passion, and thank you NRAEF for your commitment to advancing education and innovation within the industry.