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:

1. 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).
2. All questions must be answered. Your responses will be judged based upon their completion.
3. 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.

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.

The Sterno Emerging Star Scholarship
Natalie VanBuskirk, Treasury Events LLC, Pontiac, Michigan

The Elizabeth Mom Jones “Inspired” Scholarship
Alexis Chadburn, LUX Catering + Events, Salt Lake City, Utah

The Mary Crafts Culinary Crafts Scholarship
Alice Washbrook, Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events, Toronto, Ontario

The MIBE Scholarship
Ashlyn Rothenberg, Dish Food & Events, Long Island City, New York

The SB Value Scholarship
Anahi St Surin, Dish Food & Events, Brooklyn, New York

The Sysco Feeding the Future of Food Service Scholarship
Matt Reynolds, Nameless Catering, Lebanon, Indiana

The Total Party  Planner Scholarship
Hillary Clagett, Simply Fresh Events, Gaithersburg, Maryland

The American Metalcraft Scholarship
Philip Michel, Simply Fresh Events, Gaithersburg, Maryland

The ICA Lon Lane Leadership Scholarship
Thach Tran, Footers Catering Company, Aurora, Colorado

The Antoinette & Alfred Frungillo Scholarship
Brenda Barajas, Feast on This, San Diego, California

The Puff ‘n Stuff Scholarship
Abhinav Kumar, Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Alberta

The Dr. Dave McDowell Conviviality Scholarship
Brittney Bantilan, Sugar Beach Events Hawaii, Wailuku, Hawaii

The STRIVE Scholarship
Alley Henry, Good Gracious! Events, Los Angeles, California

The Nate Brancato Memorial Scholarship
Moriah Gilpin, The Kopper Kitchen, Kalispell, Montana

The Joann Roth-Oseary/Someone’s in the Kitchen Scholarship
Stephanie Staley, Chomp Foods, Seattle, Washington

The Byron Conrad Brown Scholarship
Hannah York, Farm Belly, Lovettsville, Virginia

The Beets Hospitality Group Scholarship
Emma Cromedy, Carolima’s, Charleston, South Carolina

The Michael & Ansela Dopkin Scholarship
Kay Kim, K Catering, Seattle, Washington

The Donna & John Barsotti Common Plea Catering Scholarship
Noah Winn, Mangia Catering Company, Cheney, Washington

The Jim McMerty Scholarship
Alyssa Craig, A Divine Event, Norcross, Georgia

The Good Gracious! Events Scholarship
Natalee Baker, Magdalena’s Catering and Events, Fort Worth, Texas

The Chef Reinhard Jacob Memorial Scholarship
Kyle Roe, Treasury Events, Howell, Michigan

The Chef David Keener Memorial Culinary Scholarship
Mary Davidson, The Kopper Kitchen, Kalispell, Montana

The Catersource Scholarship
Cassidy Clay, Market Catering, Salt Lake City, Utah
Charlotte Slezak, Artisan by Santa Barbara Catering, Tempe, Arizona
Jenna Hubbell, From Scratch Catering and Event Planning, Saginaw, Michigan
Amanda Turner, Chef by Design Catering, Chesapeake, Virginia
Emily Sharp, Footers Catering, Arvada, Colorado
Kara Fouse, Hamby Catering, Charleston, South Carolina
Elizabeth Hansen, Purple Onion Catering Company, Vienna, Virginia
Abigail Jover, Purple Onion Catering, Arlington, Virginia
Brittni Conger, District Events & Catering, Smyrna, Georgia
Katrina Liona, Farm to Feast Catering, Washington, DC
Robson Mberesero, Aikama Investments Limited, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
Jeanette Gromko, Marcia Selden Catering, Stamford, Connecticut