Culinary Grants & Scholarships Help You Pay for Culinary School!

Decided to launch a culinary career as a chef, pastry chef, or restaurant manager? Congratulations—you’re ready to transform your passion for cooking into a career. Finding a top culinary school for your education is only the first step—paying for it is the second. While a great culinary education can be expensive, remember you’re investing in the career of a lifetime. What’s more, the skills you’ll develop in culinary school are typically a must for most chef or management positions. Fortunately, there are a number of culinary grants and scholarships available for aspiring chefs from all walks of life. Some are based on financial need, while others are awarded to those who are exceptionally talented or passionate about the culinary arts. Check out these culinary grant and scholarship programs to get started!

Culinary Grant and Scholarship Programs

Chefs4Students.org
Chefs4Students.org, formerly the Chef2Chef Culinary Scholarship Fund,  is a not-for-profit organization committed to giving back to the future of the industry. Chefs from all over the world come together and raise money by booking out their restaurants for food and wine pairings along with silent auctions. Generous culinarians donate what they can, including cash and product donations for auctions, cookbook donations and more.
Visit Chefs4Students.org!

 
Future Culinarian of America Scholarship Foundation
The Future Culinarian of America Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit charitable corporation promoting knowledge and education in culinary arts by providing funding for education and educational-related expenses for students who are attending, or who have been accepted by, accredited, post secondary, degree granting culinary schools.
Learn more today!

American Culinary Federation
The American Academy of Chefs (AAC), through the American Culinary Federation Foundation (ACFF), offers educational scholarships to those currently attending culinary schools, and to professional chefs already working in the hospitality industry looking to further their education.
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California Restaurant Association
Each year, the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (CRAEF) awards scholarships to students seeking culinary education and careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Since 1981, CRAEF has awarded over $900,000 in scholarships and grants to hospitality students, educators, and trade or culinary schools.
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Women Chefs & Restaurateurs
Women Chefs & Restaurateurs (WCR) is committed to the culinary education and career advancement of women in the restaurant and culinary arts industry. The association has offered unique scholarship and internship opportunities to its members since 1993.
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The Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Fund
Charlie Trotter’s not-for-profit culinary education foundation awards scholarships to students who are seeking careers in the culinary arts. It also works with Chicago-area youth to promote education and nurture an interest in the cooking and food.
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American Institute of Food and Wine
The AIWF Scholarship program was created to support individuals interested in the culinary arts and enology. Various chapters offer scholarships to full-time students attending an accredited college.
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Institute of Food Technologists
The IFT Awards Program is designed to honor outstanding individuals, teams, and organizations for contributions to the profession of food science and technology. Members and non-members are eligible for IFT Awards.
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National Association of College and University Food Services
The Clark E. DeHaven Scholarship Trust was created in honor of NACUFS' first executive director. It provides merit scholarships to students at NACUFS member institutions, who are committed to pursuing careers in accredited culinary and hospitality programs.
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Find more culinary grant and scholarship resources!