The Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation (CHEF) is the non-profit 501(c)3, philanthropic arm of the Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA).
CHEF’s mission is to promote the health and prosperity of Connecticut’s hospitality industry through education, scholarships and financial assistance. CHEF works to attract, empower, advance and impact a career-oriented professional workforce for the restaurant industry through education for future restaurant industry professionals, workforce development opportunities and scholarships. CHEF formed the CT Hospitality Employee Relief Fund to provide immediate emergency funds to hospitality workers and restaurant owners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CHEF’s mission is to promote the health and prosperity of Connecticut’s hospitality industry through education, scholarships and financial assistance. CHEF works to attract, empower, advance and impact a career-oriented professional workforce for the restaurant industry through education for future restaurant industry professionals, workforce development opportunities and scholarships. CHEF formed the CT Hospitality Employee Relief Fund to provide immediate emergency funds to hospitality workers and restaurant owners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Education for the Future of the Restaurant Industry
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CHEF’s cornerstone program, ProStart, is a two-year, nationwide program that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders. ProStart serves more than 3,000 Connecticut high school students each year at 22 comprehensive high schools through a curriculum designed by the National Restaurant Association by industry for industry. ProStart connects the future generation with our current workforce through mentorships and partnerships. The ProStart year culminates with the Connecticut ProStart Invitational each spring. The winning teams have the opportunity to compete in the National ProStart Invitational.
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Restaurant Ready: Work Readiness
CHEF has partnered with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) to bring the Restaurant Ready program to Connecticut. Restaurant Ready is a national program dedicated to helping people acquire the basic work and life skills necessary to pursue jobs in the hospitality industry and jumpstart a pathway to independence.
Additionally, we work to create apprenticeships, offer professional development opportunities for our members and promote the restaurant industry as a viable career path.
CHEF has partnered with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) to bring the Restaurant Ready program to Connecticut. Restaurant Ready is a national program dedicated to helping people acquire the basic work and life skills necessary to pursue jobs in the hospitality industry and jumpstart a pathway to independence.
Additionally, we work to create apprenticeships, offer professional development opportunities for our members and promote the restaurant industry as a viable career path.
Workforce Training & Wellness
CHEF, in coordination with the CRA, supports workforce training opportunities including ServSafe Manager, ServSafe Alcohol, ServSafe Workplace and ServSuccess. CHEF and the CRA will also working to offer health and wellness and educational opportunities for our members.
CT Hospitality Employee Relief Fund
CHEF has formed the CT Hospitality Employee Relief Fund to provide immediate emergency funds to hospitality workers. CHEF, funded by private, community and individual donations, will distribute the funds donated to the Employee Relief Fund as grants to hospitality employees during these uncertain times of mandated business shutdowns. Learn more about the employee relief fund here.
CHEF has formed the CT Hospitality Employee Relief Fund to provide immediate emergency funds to hospitality workers. CHEF, funded by private, community and individual donations, will distribute the funds donated to the Employee Relief Fund as grants to hospitality employees during these uncertain times of mandated business shutdowns. Learn more about the employee relief fund here.
CT Restaurant Relief Fund
CHEF and the CRA recognizes an additional need to help support Connecticut’s restaurant industry and have developed a new fund, the Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund on January 1, 2021.
The objective of the fund initiative is to raise funds to support immediate financial relief for as many of Connecticut restaurant and food service businesses as possible.
CHEF and the CRA recognizes an additional need to help support Connecticut’s restaurant industry and have developed a new fund, the Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund on January 1, 2021.
The objective of the fund initiative is to raise funds to support immediate financial relief for as many of Connecticut restaurant and food service businesses as possible.
Scholarships
CHEF awards scholarships each year to students pursuing careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. In 2019, the fund was renamed to honor the late Joe DaCosta, who was a member of the CRA and a member of the Board of Directors. The Joe DaCosta Memorial Scholarship Fund honors Joe’s passion of giving back to future leaders of our industry.
CHEF also has the opportunity to award the Chef Matt Balga Scholarship annually to a student pursuing a career in the restaurant industry. Learn more about scholarships here.
CHEF awards scholarships each year to students pursuing careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. In 2019, the fund was renamed to honor the late Joe DaCosta, who was a member of the CRA and a member of the Board of Directors. The Joe DaCosta Memorial Scholarship Fund honors Joe’s passion of giving back to future leaders of our industry.
CHEF also has the opportunity to award the Chef Matt Balga Scholarship annually to a student pursuing a career in the restaurant industry. Learn more about scholarships here.
SUPPORT THE CT HOSPITALITY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION TODAY
Contact Jennifer Conkling Schmitz to learn more about Sponsorships
CT Hospitality Educational Foundation
100 Great Meadow Road, Suite 100
Wetherfield, CT 06109
860-794-6666
100 Great Meadow Road, Suite 100
Wetherfield, CT 06109
860-794-6666
