US Foods awards scholarships to nine students

ROSEMONT - US Foods Holding Corp. said nine students from the Arizona, Chicago and New York City markets were selected to receive $20,000 each to support their continued education in the culinary arts.

The new scholars will further develop their skills by working alongside US Foods culinary professionals at various industry events throughout the year. US Foods created the US Foods Scholars program to inspire students to reach their full potential as they pursue an education in the culinary arts and to contribute a meaningful solution to the talent shortage facing the restaurant industry.

The program, which launched in 2017, provides financial support and hands-on development opportunities to culinary students who demonstrate tremendous promise and achievement but require assistance to take the next step of their culinary journey. The company expects to have a total of 30 US Foods Scholars in the program by the end of 2019 in Arizona, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Denver, New York City and Raleigh. The 2019 fall semester application for students in Atlanta, Austin, Denver and Raleigh is now open.

"We are thrilled to welcome the newest culinary arts students into the US Foods Scholars program," said Debra Ceffalio, vice president of corporate communications, US Foods. "We see incredible potential in these students and are pleased to be able to help them achieve their dreams as future culinary professionals in an industry hungry to find good talent."

The Chicago area recipients are Mikiara Crawford of Chicago, a first-year culinary arts student at Joliet Junior College in Joliet; Jessica Manuel of Oak Park, a first-year baking and pastry student; and Daylynn Phillips of Chicago, a first-year culinary arts and hospitality management student at Robert Morris University.