LRAEF Board of Directors
Michael Eastman, Chair, Auto-Chlor
Greg Reggio, Vice Chair, Taste Buds Management
Garret LeBlanc, Secretary/Treasurer, B&G Food Enterprises
Bobby Hufft, Ecolab
Derrick Dunne, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
Octavio Mantilla, BRG Hospitalty
Tony Rodrigue, Acme Oyster House
Stephen Hightower, Baton Rouge Epicurean Society
Emery Whalen, QED Hospitality
Karen Coaxum, Coaxum Enterprises
Alan Guilbeau, Bengal Products
Jason Jones, Sysco New Orleans
Academic Advisor
Dr. Yvette Green, UNO Kabacoff School of HRT
Industry Representatives
Felton Jones, PJ's Coffee
Ex-Officio
Stan Harris, CEO, Louisiana Restaurant Association
Jonathan Baynham, Executive Director
Alan Guilbeau, Bengal Products
LRAEF Articulation Agreements
The LRA Education Foundation is proud to partner with these educational institutions through articulation agreements, which provides a smooth transition of credits from the completion of ProStart I and II. We are grateful to these schools for their commitment to the foodservice and hospitality industry.
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Annual Reports
Education Foundation News
Latest News Baton Rouge is gaining a newfound respect for its elevated culinary offerings, with concept restaurants like those under City Group Hospitality (CGH) leading the charge. Now, a groundbreaking partnership between industry and academia is set to further elevate the region’s foodservice sector. This fall, the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) proudly supports the launch…
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Latest News A group of young women from two ProStart programs in New Orleans are headed to Walt Disney World for an exclusive, all-expenses-paid culinary journey in honor of Chef Leah Chase, who inspired the animated motion picture The Princess and the Frog. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the newest attraction at Magic Kingdom Park, honors not only…
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Latest News LRA Education Foundation Celebrates Six Outstanding Line Cook Apprentices The LRA Education Foundation recently honored six exceptional young men who have successfully completed their line cook apprenticeship, officially graduating from the program. The celebratory event was hosted by Conrad Churra, owner of Wakin’ Bakin’ in the French Quarter. Churra is the founder of…
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