Connecticut Restaurant Association | Hartford, CT
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The Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation (CHEF) is the non-profit 501(c)3, philanthropic arm of the Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA). Its mission is to promote the health and prosperity of Connecticut’s hospitality industry through education, scholarships and financial assistance. CHEF works to attract, develop and retain a career-oriented professional workforce for the restaurant industry through education for future restaurant industry professionals, workforce development opportunities and scholarships.  CHEF has formed the CT Hospitality Employee Relief Fund to provide immediate emergency funds to hospitality workers.  ​
DONATE TODAY

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Education for the Future of the Restaurant Industry 

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 1,800 Connecticut high school students each year 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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Workforce Development & Wellness  

CHEF, in coordination with the CRA, supports workforce development opportunities including ServSafe Manager, ServSafe Alcohol, ServSafe Workplace and ServSuccess. Additionally, we work to create apprenticeships, offer professional development opportunities for our members and promote the restaurant industry as a viable career path. CHEF and the CRA will also working to offer health and wellness and educational opportunities for our members.   ​


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CT Hospitality Employee Relief Fund
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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. 


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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.



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 Frederick A . DeLuca Scholarship annually to a student pursuing a career in the restaurant industry.  Learn more about scholarships here. ​

SUPPORT THE CT HOSPITALITY EDUCAITONAL FOUNDATION TODAY

Contact Jennifer Conkling Schmitz to learn more about Sponsorships
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Copyright Connecticut Restaurant Association
270 Farmington Ave, Suite 142
Farmington, CT 06032
Phone: 860-278-8008
Email: info@ctrestaurant.org

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  • Advocacy
    • Government Affairs
    • Government Relations Team
    • Sign Up for CRA Alerts
    • Links & Resources >
      • Food Code Updates
      • 2023 State of the Industry (National)
      • 2022 CT Restaurant Industry Fact Sheet
      • Connecticut Hospitality Fund
      • 2023 Minimum Wage Map
      • Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)
      • Understanding Employee Retention Tax Credit (PDF)
      • Alcohol-To-Go
      • Understanding CT's Tip Credit Law - October 2020
      • Tip Credit Brief
      • EEOC Poster
      • Labor Posters
      • Mandatory Order #8 Poster
      • CT Restaurants Business Conditions Survey Findings 2022
      • MyCTSavings FAQ's
  • About Us
    • Leadership & Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • CRA Prime Partners
  • Members
    • Join the CRA
    • Why Become a CRA Member
    • Member Benefits
    • Member Exclusive Savings
    • Healthcare >
      • Member Exclusive Healthcare Programs
    • Allied Membership >
      • Allied Membership Tiers
      • Allied Member Profile Updates
      • Allied Member Directory
      • 10 Ways to Leverage Your Allied Membership Today
    • Member Directory
    • Allied Member Directory
    • CRA Prime Partners
    • Member Portal
  • ServSafe & Industry Training
    • ServSafe Manager & Food Safety >
      • ServSafe Manager ONLINE
      • ServSafe Manager In-Person Classes
      • ServSafe Food Handler
      • ServSafe Allergen
    • ServSafe Workplace >
      • Sexual Harassment Prevention
      • Unconscious Bias Training
    • ServSafe Alcohol
    • ServSafe FAQ
    • ServSafe COVID Resources
    • Food Safety Regulations
  • Foundation
    • ProStart Weekend 2023 >
      • Restaurants: ProStart Weekend 2023
    • Careers >
      • Workforce Development >
        • Restaurant Ready
        • Apprenticeships
        • Culinary Student Work Sites Application
    • CHEF News: What's Cookin?
    • ProStart >
      • 2023 CT ProStart Invitational
      • What is ProStart?
      • ProStart FAQs
    • Relief Funds >
      • CT Hospitality Employee Relief Fund
      • CT Restaurant Relief Fund
    • Scholarships
    • Support CHEF >
      • ProStart Sponsorship Opportunities 2023
      • Sponsors
      • Sponsorships 2023
    • Get Involved
  • Events
    • CRA Events
    • CRA Events Calendar
    • Community Events Calendar
    • CRAziesAwards.com
    • 2023 Wage & Compliance Seminars
    • 2023 ProStart Invitational (March 1)
    • 2023 ProStart Weekend (March 1-5)
  • Directory
    • Job Board
    • Member Directory
    • Allied Member Directory
    • Contact Us
    • Gift Certificate Program
  • Why CRA Membership?