Apply for a 2026 Catersource Scholarship
The GROW Catering Educational Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation created to provide educational opportunities to professional caterers worldwide. It was established to foster the advancement of caterers in their knowledge of the catering and hospitality industry, as well as the development of sound business practices.
Application Procedure:
The scholarship application must be submitted online personally by the individual seeking the scholarship and include:
- Scholarship application from the individual through the online portal. The application must be completed in its entirety on or prior to 11:59pm on OCTOBER 31, 2025 (Pacific time).
- All questions must be answered. Your responses will be judged based upon their completion.
- Supporting recommendation letters – MINIMUM of two (2) letters of recommendation one of which should be from the owner of the company (if owner is not the applicant) will be required. Instructions for references are available on the online portal.
The Foundation makes it possible for qualified individuals, including owners, managers and employees of catering companies to attend designated educational conferences. The Catersource Conference and Tradeshow is scheduled for March 2-5, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Scholarships are awarded based on the potential impact attending Catersource will have on the applicant’s career in catering. Numerous applications per company may be submitted for the conference, although a maximum of two (2) per company (and its subsidiaries) will be awarded. All information is kept confidential, and only the name of the recipient and the company name will be released.
The scholarship includes a Catersource Education pass for the conference. In addition, a $500.00 travel stipend will be paid to the company and paid post-conference once the recipient submits their post-conference essay. The package does not include social functions—those are the responsibility of the recipient. The recipient is responsible for coordinating their own travel and expenses, including transportation, lodging, meals, etc.
Selection will be based on several criteria:
- The potential impact of attending Catersource will have on the applicant’s career in catering, the company they work for and their involvement in the industry as a whole.
- Measurable accomplishments of the individual that would constitute a major contribution to the sponsoring company or the industry in general.
- Content of the answers to all questions demonstrating career intent for the catering/hospitality industry, and why the applicant believes they are deserving of this scholarship. Desire and strong initiative to seek out educational opportunities that have potential to impact career.
- Supporting recommendation letters.
NOTE: If you have won an ICAEF/GROW scholarship twice before, you are not eligible to apply.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
BY 11:59pm on OCTOBER 31, 2025 (Pacific time).
If you are a new applicant, please create an account. Otherwise, use your existing login.
Then select 2026 Catersource Scholarship.
Because all scholarship applications are reviewed by an independent organization (Arizona Community Foundation),
members of the ICA Board and their staff and the GROW Foundation/ICAEF Board and their staff ARE eligible for scholarships.
If you have any questions, please email Corinne Dudine at czd@growcatering.org
Congratulations to Our 2026 Scholarship Winners
Sterno Emerging Star Scholarship
Noah Winn, Mangia Catering Company, Liberty Lake, Washington
American Metalcraft Scholarship
Phoebe Riegle, Purple Onion Catering, Vienna, Virginia
Antoinette & Alfred Frungillo Scholarship
Alexandria Kaniecki, Good Gracious! Events, Los Angeles, California
Beets Hospitality Scholarship
McKenzie Spandet, Dutzel’s Catering, Independence, Missouri
Castle Hospitality Education Scholarship
Sydney Keesee, Purple Onion Catering, Vienna, Virginia
Catering by Design Scholarship for Creative Arts
Rebecca Urena, The JDK Group, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Chef David Keener Memorial Culinary Scholarship
Cassandra Portnow, Footers Catering, Arvada, Colorado
Chef Reinhard Jacob Memorial Scholarship
Carla Kessell, Kessell-Walker Projects/Matriarcha, Jefferson City, Missouri
Craig Mitchell Memorial Scholarship
Sandra Centeno, Exquisite Delites Catering Company, Decatur, Georgia
David Meckstroth Creativity Scholarship
Yvonne Davis, Kohler Catering, Kettering, Ohio
Donna & John Barsotti Common Plea Scholarship
Becca Cook, Hamby Catering Partners, LLC, Charleston, South Carolina
Dr. David McDowell Conviviality Scholarship
Quinten Rice, JQ’s on High, Jefferson City, Missouri
Elizabeth “Mom” Jones Inspired Scholarship
Niubelka Vasquez, Dish Food And Events, Long Island City, New York
Good Gracious! Events Scholarship
Liam Melley, Simply Fresh Events, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Jim McMerty Scholarship
Carly Martinez, Beets Hospitality Group, Livermore, California
Joann Roth Oseary Someone’s in the Kitchen Scholarship
Kathy Ngo, Daniel et Daniel Catering and Events, Toronto, Ontario
Mary Crafts Culinary Crafts Scholarship
Jeanna Clark, Marcia Selden Catering, Stamford, Connecticut
MIBE Scholarship
Zachary Carroll, Mitchell·Casteel A Fine Catered Affair, Raleigh, North Carolina
Michael & Ansela Dopkin Scholarship
Breanne Pizarro, Mitchell•Casteel A Fine Catered Affair, Raleigh, North Carolina
Nate Brancato Memorial Scholarship
Caila Byrd, Footers Catering, Arvada, Colorado
Puff ‘N Stuff Scholarship
Lisa Preti, Thomas Preti Events to Savor, Long Island City, New York
STRIVE Scholarship
Lisa Pomroy, The Classic Catering People, Owings Mills, Maryland
Catersource Scholarship
Jolene Brugaletta, Partyman, Avon, New York
Ashleigh Burton, Revel Catering & Events, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
Ross Green, Thomas Preti Caterers, Inc., Long Island City, New York
Sophia Valiante, Marcia Selden Catering, Stamford, Connecticut
Ronald Coffman, Simply Fresh Events, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Melissa Donovan, Dutzel’s Catering and Events, Independence, Missouri
Rabisoni Mberesero, Aikama Investment Limited, Dar es Salaam
Brandon Rojas, Serve and Savour Catering, Melissa, Texas
2026 Scholarships Now Closed
