LRA Education Foundation Celebrates National Philanthropy Day by Honoring Annual Partners

Louisiana, renowned for its rich culinary heritage blending diverse ethnicities, stands as a testament to the vibrant tapestry of flavors woven from bountiful seafood, exquisite produce, and exceptional meats like cattle and pork.

On National Philanthropy Day, November 15, the LRA Education Foundation (LRAEF) takes a momentous opportunity to acknowledge and extend gratitude to its annual partners. These partners stand as pillars, enabling the Foundation to serve the restaurant industry and nurture the culinary passion of aspiring talents.

The LRAEF has propelled initiatives that have significantly impacted high school culinary and restaurant management education across 58 schools. The ProStart program, engaging over 2,200 students, is a cornerstone endeavor, fostering skills, and expertise within the industry's future leaders.

"These activities are only possible with the support of the industry we serve," said Jonathan Baynham, LRAEF Executive Director. “This steadfast commitment has fostered the ProStart School Support Fund, empowering instructors to access grants twice a year. These grants cater to essential needs such as small wares, cooking lab ingredients, competition readiness, and invaluable field trips.”

Moreover, the LRAEF Scholars Program, fueled by the generosity of industry contributions, has made higher education in culinary and hospitality accessible to aspiring individuals. Since its inception in 2009, the Foundation has dispersed an awe-inspiring $750,000 to support individuals pursuing or continuing their college education in these fields.

In 2023, the LRAEF is honored to recognize the unwavering support of partners: In 2023, those partners are: Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers; Baton Rouge Epicurean Society, Auto-Chlor System, Acme Oyster House, Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Ecolab, BRG Hospitality, Louisiana Restaurant Association, Tabasco, NRA Educational Foundation, Atmos Energy, Louisiana Seafood, Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, Coca-Cola Bottling - UNITED, Zea Rotisserie & Bar, PJ's Coffee, Fore! Kids Foundation, B&G Foods (Taco Bell), Sysco, Brechtel Hospitality, Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, University of New Orleans - School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism, Natco Food Service, Republic National Distributing Company, QED Hospitality, MMI Culinary, Octavio Mantilla Family Trust and Entergy Louisiana.

The LRA Education Foundation proudly stands as the industry's charity, an institution fervently dedicated to preparing and empowering the next generation of culinary maestros and managerial prodigies. With the support and benevolence of these partners, the Foundation forges ahead, ensuring the legacy of Louisiana's culinary excellence endures through the hands and hearts of future generations.

Interested in the LRAEF Annual Partner program and how you can support the future of our industry, contant Jonathan Baynham at jbaynham@lra.org.