2025 LRAEF
Board of Directors
Michael Eastman, Chair
Auto-Chlor System
Greg Reggio, Vice Chair
Taste Buds Management
Garret LeBlanc, Secretary/Treasurer
B&G Food Enterprises
Derrick Dunne
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Bobby Hu f ft Ecolab
Stephen Hightower University Club of Baton Rouge
Octavio Mantilla
BRG Hospitality
Tony Rodrigue
Acme Oyster House
Emery Whalen
QED Hospitality
Karen Coaxum Coaxum Enterprises
Dr. Yvette Green Academic Advisor
UNO Kabaco f f School of HRT
Felton Jones
Industry Representative PJ’s Co f fee
2025 Financials
Thank you to the LRA Chapters!
The LRA Acadiana, Greater Baton Rouge, Bayou, Cenla, Southwest, and Greater New Orleans chapters raised $114,000 for our educational programs.
100% of the LRA Staff supported the LRAEF in 2025. Thank you! 2025 Revenue - $634,705
Through the Denim for Dollars program, LRA Sta f f raised $2,202 in 2025. Denim for Dollars is a campaign for our staff members to donate $1 a week to the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation. In return, the LRA hosts Blue Jean Fridays.
Thanks to the Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation for gifting an additional $177,000 in micro grants to our ProStart schools in 2025! With these funds our total mission driven revenue was $811,705.
Strategic Plan 2026-2028
In November, our new strategic plan was approved by the LRAEF Board.
Mission
We enhance the restaurant and hospitality industry’s service to the public through education and workforce opportunities.
Goals and Strategies: Programs
Enhance the opportunities for career potential.
a.
b.
c.
ProStart ® Scholarship Registered Apprenticeship
Promotion
Tell the story about opportunities and achievements.
a.
b.
c.
Pathways of Opportunity
Impact and Outcomes
Audiences and Partners
Funding
Expand funding opportunities for a stronger, sustainable Foundation.
a.
b.
c.
Revenue Sources Relationships
Leadership
Changes to Mission and Strategic Planning Goals
The LRA Education Foundation (LRAEF) strategic planning committee included: Board Directors Greg Reggio (Committee Chair), Michael Eastman, Tony Rodrigue, Garret LeBlanc, Derrick Dunne, Octavio Mantilla, and Jeryl Fischtziur (Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy ProStart ® educator). The committee proposed a simplified mission for the LRAEF that emphasized the Foundation’s two impact areas: education and workforce development. This new mission will allow for transparent and impactful conversations with all audiences and stakeholders.
For the next three years, the LRAEF’s strategic goals will be centered around programs, promotion, and funding. Our programs are the heart of the Foundation, and will continue to be a priority, as we focus on bringing the best career opportunities to current and potential industry employees as well as providing high-quality career training for potential industry workers.
Promotion is vital for the Foundation to build a stronger workforce and give people the tools they need to be successful in the restaurant industry. The LRAEF is committed to promoting its achievements and striving for growing impact and success.
Funding is the last major key to our impact as the LRAEF continues to grow. The Foundation is focused on expanding its philanthropic impact through new partnerships, with a diversified sponsorship portfolio, reducing reliance on one sector, organization, or sponsorship type.
2024-2025 Louisiana ProStart ® Programs
71 Programs Statewide with More Than 2,400 Students
ProStart is a two-year high school culinary arts and restaurant management training curriculum, where students learn math, chemistry, leadership, and presentation and communications skills – all vital tools for future success. This curriculum prepares participants to move directly from school to career success.
Abbeville High School
Academy of Our Lady
Albany High School
Alfred Bonnabel Magnet
Academy High School
Ascension Parish ProStart
Belaire Magnet High School
Broadmoor High School
Bunkie High School
Caddo Career & Technology Center
Castor High School
Central High School
Chalmette High School
CTEC East
Covington High School
Denham Springs High School
Donaldsonville High School
East Baton Rouge Career & Technical Education Center
East Iberville High School
East Jefferson High School
East St. John High School
Eunice Career & Technical Education Center
Fontainebleau High School
French Settlement High School
George Washington Carver High School
Grant High School
Hammond High Magnet School
Istrouma High School
Jefferson Davis Parish/ SOWELA Morgan Smith -
Jennings Campus
JE Harper Pathways to Excellence Center
John Ehret High School
Kenner Discovery Health
Sciences Academy
Lafourche Parish Career
Magnet Center
Lakeshore High School
Lakeview Jr./Sr. High School
Leesville High School
Live Oak High School
Louisiana School for the Deaf
Madison High School
Mandeville High School
Merryville High School
Natchitoches Central High School
New Orleans Career Center
North Caddo High School
Northeast High School
Northshore High School
Pearl River High School
Pitkin High School
Plaquemine High School
Rayne High School
Red River High School
Salmen High School
Singer High School
Slidell High School
South Beauregard High School
Springfield High School
St. Charles Satellite Center
St. Martin Parish College & Career Readiness Center
Sulphur High School
Tara High School
Terrebonne Career & Technical High School
W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center
Walker High School
Warren Easton Charter High School
Washington Career & Technical Education Center
West Baton Rouge CTE
Career Academy
West Feliciana High School
West Jefferson High School
West Monroe High School
West St. John High School
Woodlawn High School
Young Audiences Charter School
*ProStart is a registered trademark of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
In 2025, we had six curriculum-only schools. New schools joining the ProStart program in the state of Louisiana are required to have at least one year of curriculum-only before becoming a confirmed ProStart school.
Arlington Preparatory Academy - Baton Rouge
Crowley High School - Crowley
Doyle High School - Livingston
Rosepine High School - Rosepine
Sarah T. Reed High School - New Orleans
Tangipahoa Advanced College & Career Magnet Center - Independence
In 2025, Louisiana Works approved the LRAEF’s request to promote the ProStart Certificate of Achievement from a “basic” to an “advanced” credential. The Certificate of Achievement is an industry-recognized certificate that is earned by ProStart students who have successfully completed all aspects of ProStart 1 and 2. These requirements include passing both exams for the Foundations of Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts curriculum and 400 work experience hours in the food service, hospitality, and/or restaurant industries. The “advanced” designation from the state of Louisiana identifies ProStart as training for “high need and high demand” jobs. It is the highest designation Louisiana Works o f fers. We want to thank the employers who wrote letters of support and advocated for the ProStart curriculum in the state of Louisiana.
We welcomed 5 new confirmed ProStart Schools in 2025.
Grant High School - Dry Prong
JE Harper Pathways to Excellence Center - Minden Madison High School - Tallulah
New Orleans Career Center - New Orleans Singer High School - Singer
Educator Training
One of the best predictors of student success is providing educator training to prepare them for program expectations.
Auto-Chlor System was the title sponsor for the 2025 Winter and Summer ProStart Educator Training. Additional support came from the Emeril Lagasse Foundation and the UNO Kabacof f School of HRT.
The 2025 Winter ProStart Educator Training was held January 16-17, 2025, at The Hotel Bentley in Alexandria. The Diamond Grill hosted a welcome dinner for attendees. They received a tour of The Hotel Bentley and an entrepreneurship session led by Scott Laliberte, President and COO of The Hotel Bentley and The Diamond Grill. TikTok personality and Louisiana native Brittany Khamille joined to lead a cooking demonstration and presentation about building an online culinary presence. The Ben E. Keith Company donated materials for a hands-on plating challenge activity for teachers. The training included several educational sessions led by LRAEF Sta f f on ProStart best practices and a current Foundation update.
The 2025 Summer ProStart Educator Training was held at the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) on July 16-18, 2025. The LRAEF Staff used the first day of this training to provide introductory sessions for new ProStart educators. The two additional training days featured experiences and sessions led by industry leaders from the following partners: Restaurant August, Acme Oyster House, Studio West, S&W Foods, Jack Rose Restaurant, NOCHI, and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. Executive Chef Corey Thomas of Restaurant August did a hands-on workshop on molecular gastronomy. Teachers were treated to a four-course dining experience at Jack Rose Restaurant, where they tried dishes with new cooking techniques and trending ingredients. Studio West did a session on restaurant design and how to open a restaurant. On the final day, teachers visited P&J Oyster Company in the French Quarter to learn about oyster distribution to restaurants and sample raw oysters. Caire Hotel & Restaurant Supply gifted each teacher kitchen equipment such as scales, pans, and cutting boards to take back to the classroom. presented by
Louisiana ProStart Invitational
The Louisiana Seafood ProStart Invitational (LPSI) was held on March 19-20, 2025 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.
Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board returned as the title sponsor, with Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers as management competition sponsor and BRG Hospitality as culinary competition sponsor.
TABASCO ® Brand and Zea Rotisserie & Bar were our national team sponsors. Judges for the event included professors from culinary programs across the state as well as acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs.
MARCH
19-20, 2025
Two new features were added to this year’s invitational: individual competitions and a hospitality fair. The cake decorating competition allowed students to showcase their individual creativity with one hour to decorate a cake to the best of their ability. The shrimp cook-off gave students the opportunity to showcase one of Louisiana’s most notable ingredients innovatively, with one hour of cook time. The hospitality fair gave all students, competitors, and spectators the chance to explore a variety of post-secondary exhibitors and practice for real-world scenarios, preparing them to enter the job force.
Several universities offered scholarship prizes, totaling more than $850,000, with prizes ranging from first to fifth place. Scholarships were provided by: Auguste Esco ff ier School of Culinary Arts, Culinary Institute of America, the Culinary Institute of Virginia, Delgado Community College, Louisiana Culinary Institute, the Mississippi University for Women, New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute (NOCHI), Nicholls State University: Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, Sullivan University, and the UNO Kabaco f f School of HRT.
• The first-place culinary team was awarded a combined total of $212,500 in scholarship funds, and the first-place management team was awarded $187,500.
• The second-place culinary team was awarded $143,750. The second-place management team was awarded $126,250.
• The third-place culinary team was awarded $82,500. The third-place management team was awarded $72,500.
• Fourth-place teams in culinary and management were both awarded $13,750.
• Fifth-place teams in culinary and management were both awarded $2,500.
We thank these post-secondary education partners for their support of LPSI!
2025 LPSI Placements
Culinary
First Ascension Parish ProStart
Second Chalmette High School
Third St. Charles Satellite Center
Fourth Lakeshore High School
Fifth Mandeville High School
Management
First Chalmette High School
Second Hammond High Magnet School
Third West Feliciana High School
Fourth John Ehret High School
Fifth Young Audiences Charter School
Louisiana ProStart Invitational
2025 LPSI Judges’ Awards
Culinary
Safety & Sanitation
Teamwork
Jefferson Davis Parish/SOWELA
Morgan Smith-Jennings Campus
Young Audiences Charter School
Starter West St. John High School
Entrée Ascension Parish ProStart
Dessert Mandeville High School
Management
Concept Hammond High Magnet School
Critical Thinking
Chalmette High School
Marketing John Ehret High School
Presentation
Tara High School
2025 Louisiana ProStart Invitational School Participants
Culinary
Ascension Parish ProStart
Belaire Magnet High School
Central High School
Chalmette High School
East Baton Rouge Career & Technical Education Center
East St. John High School
French Settlement High School
George Washington Carver High School
Hammond High Magnet School
Istrouma High School
Jefferson Davis Parish/ SOWELA Morgan SmithJennings Campus
John Ehret High School
Kenner Discovery Health Sciences
Academy
Lakeshore High School
Live Oak High School
Mandeville High School
Salmen High School
St. Charles Satellite Center
Sulphur High School
Tara High School
W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center
Warren Easton Charter High School
West St. John High School
Young Audiences Charter School
Management
Academy of Our Lady
Belaire Magnet High School
Chalmette High School
Hammond High Magnet School
Istrouma High School
Jefferson Davis Parish/ SOWELA Morgan SmithJennings Campus
John Ehret High School
Tara High School
Stella Reese, daughter of the late Chef Leah Chase of Dooky Chase Restaurant, shares the wisdom and legacy of the famed New Orleans “Queen of Creole Cuisine.”
Louisiana ProStart Invitational
Individual Competition Participants
Cake Decorating
Aaliyah Robinson - John Ehret High School
Asia Bell - Young Audiences Charter School
Averie Perriloux - Springfield High School
Jammilek Areas-Martinez - Denham Springs High School
Kari Tolliver - W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center
Marshay Haynes - Istrouma High School
Melanie Emery - Chalmette High School
Olivia Jarreau - Ascension Parish ProStart
Skyye Williams - Belaire Magnet High School
Andreas Herasymiuk - Covington High School
Bree Carmouche - John Ehret High School
Chelsea Coates - Belaire Magnet High School
Ethan Sonnier - Washington Career & Technical Education Center
Kaitlyn Courville - West Baton Rouge CTE Career Academy
Kaitlyn Lambert - Springfield High School
Kasadara Breaux - W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center
Luke Persus - Denham Springs High School
Nakai Carter - Young Audiences Charter School
Samuel Buratt - French Settlement High School
Tayshawn Garner - Istrouma High School
Louisiana Shrimp Cook-Off Winner of Cake Decorating Winner of Shrimp Cook-Off
National ProStart Invitational
Chalmette High School Wins
Culinary National Championship
The National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) was held on May 2-4, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland. Ascension Parish ProStart, which includes students from Dutchtown High School, Prairieville High School, and St. Amant High School, represented Louisiana for culinary, while Chalmette High School represented for management. Ascension Parish ProStart placed 35 out of 48 in the culinary competition, and Chalmette High School placed first in the management competition.
Ascension’s all-senior culinary team created their three-course menu with the expertise of veteran team members Olivia Jarreau, 2025 Louisiana ProStart Student of the Year, and Esther Chen, who both competed in the 2024 Louisiana ProStart Invitational. Their appetizer was a jicama salad with Louisiana shrimp, pickled cucumber, and a sambal vinaigrette. The team’s entrée was a beef filet with blackberry balsamic agrodolce, potato pave, and root vegetables. They finished their menu off with a lemon pot de crème topped with meringue, a candied lemon slice, and a strawberry fan, then plated in a lemon peel.
Chalmette High School’s management concept was a Creole-Italian cuisine, La Strada, for the 2025 competition. This proposal blended Sicilian and Creole influences, which are prevalent in the New Orleans community, but practically unheard-of outside of Louisiana. Some of their menu’s standout items included a muffaletta and cannoli-stuffed beignets.
The trip to NPSI was sponsored by TABASCO ® Brand and Zea Rotisserie & Bar.
Chalmette High SchoolNational ProStart Invitational Management Championship Team
For the last four years, ProStart educator Elena Hodges has successfully coached the Chalmette High School Management Team to victory at the Louisiana ProStart Invitational. Through daily practice and dedication, the 2025 team took first place at the National ProStart Invitational. The team consisted of seniors Asma Askar, Denim Bell, Kamryn Simon, Norman Burrey-Morales, and Lily Vu, four of whom were also named Valedictorians for the 2025 Chalmette High School graduating class.
Almost daily, the team gathered to perfect their proposal presentation and gain specific feedback from local industry representatives. The students worked regularly with the LRAEF Sta f f to develop their critical thinking skills, allowing them to provide thoughtful answers to any question they were presented with.
LRAEF sponsors also took initiative in preparing the team for their national event. Derrick Dunne, Area Leader of Restaurants for Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, came to a practice for the team to do an entire mock competition presentation. He gave targeted feedback on how to improve their marketing and critical thinking skills. Jason Jones, Regional Vice President of Sysco, also participated to provide insight on how to improve the concept’s menu design and team’s overall presentation skills.
On December 19, 2025, the championship team returned to their alma mater for a celebration of their accomplishments and a presentation of their National Championship rings by Stan Harris, LRA President and CEO, and Jonathan Baynham, LRAEF VP and Executive Director. Before the ceremony, LRA and LRAEF Staff organized a reunion lunch for the team at Rocky and Carlo’s joined by the team's mentor, Chef Anastasia Joyner, and Elena Hodges. At the Chalmette High School Arts Center, attendees for the celebration included: Principal William Schneider, sponsors and LRAEF Board Directors: Michael Eastman of Auto-Chlor System and Derrick Dunne of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, the team's family members and friends, and several Chalmette High School staff members.
The 2025 CHS management team gather in a circle, displaying their championship rings.
The 2025 CHS management team, their leaders, and LRAEF Sta f f celebrate their win on the National ProStart Invitational stage.
LRAEF Board of Directors, Derrick Dunne of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and Michael Eastman of Auto-Chlor System, attend the ring ceremony.
The 2025 National ProStart Invitational management championship ring, gifted to CHS team members, mentors, and sponsors by the LRAEF.
Team members, Asma Askar and Denim Bell, joyfully raise their fists to showcase their championship rings.
Team member, Norman Burrey-Morales smiles brightly while displaying his championship ring.
2025 School Support Fund
In the Fall, the LRAEF donated $130,000 to 51 schools, and in the Spring, we were able to donate $81,000 to 35 schools, for a total of $211,000 donated to ProStart schools across the state through our School Support Fund. This fund is supported by grants and donations, as well as an ongoing partnership with the Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation. It exists to provide financial support for ProStart programs in the areas that teachers identify as having the greatest need. All approved ProStart programs are eligible to apply for financial support as the state has limited funding. Funds went towards funding field trips, industry interactions, basic supplies, and preparing for the Louisiana ProStart Invitational.
Without the School Support Fund, there is no way we would be able to cook every week with students and have all the tools and equipment to make them successful for very important events and competitions. We are truly blessed to be able to have the School Support Fund.
Jacob Gillett Sulphur High School
Schools that received funding through the School Support Fund are listed below:
Academy of Our Lady
Albany High School
Ascension Parish ProStart
Belaire Magnet High School
Broadmoor High School
Bunkie High School
Caddo Career & Technology Center
Castor High School
Central High School
Chalmette High School
Denham Springs High School
Donaldsonville High School
Doyle High School
East Baton Rouge Career & Technical
Education Center
East Iberville High School
East Jefferson High School
East St. John High School
Eunice Career & Technical Education Center
Fontainebleau High School
French Settlement High School
George Washington Carver High School
Grant High School
Hammond High Magnet School
Istrouma High School
JE Harper Pathways to Excellence Center
Jefferson Davis Parish/SOWELA Morgan Smith
- Jennings Campus
John Ehret High School
Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy
Lakeshore High School
Lakeview Jr./Sr. High School
Leesville High School
Live Oak High School
Louisiana School for the Deaf
Madison High School
Mandeville High School
Northeast High School
Pitkin High School
Plaquemine High School
Rayne High School
Red River High School
Slidell High School
Springfield High School
St. Charles Satellite Center
St. Martin College & Career Readiness Center
Sulphur High School
Tara High School
Walker High School
Warren Easton Charter High School
Washington Career & Technical Education Center
W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center
West Baton Rouge CTE Career Academy
West Feliciana High School
West St. John High School
Woodlawn High School
Young Audiences
Charter School
National Restaurant Association Tradeshow - Jump Start Grant
For the first time in 2025, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) had a Jump Start Grant program funded by former NRA Chair, Scott Redler. Kandice Dequeant, ProStart educator at W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center, was selected from their video submission to bring her students to the 2025 Show. The students and educators were f lown to Chicago and hosted at The Palmer House. They enjoyed breakfast with Scott Redler before heading to the show floor. They were also given private tours of the show floor and met one on one with some of the trade show’s biggest exhibitors, including Ecolab, Coca-Cola, and Heinz Foods. The students met chef personality Carla Hall and were featured in the show's keynote address by Michelle Korsmo, President and CEO of the NRA. On Sunday evening, the students were invited to Ecolab’s celebration supporting the NRAEF, which featured Shaboozey.
Restaurant Takeover
In the Spring, French Settlement High School educator, Breanna Membrano, collaborated with the LRA Greater Baton Rouge Chapter to present the first ever ProStart Restaurant Takeover. Ru ff ino’s Restaurant in Baton Rouge graciously welcomed in French Settlement ProStart students for the event titled, Future Flavors, and all ingredients were generously provided by Sysco. Students sold tickets and were able to fill the restaurant with friends, families, and community members. Under the direction of Chef Patrick Trahan and his team, the students ran the entire meal service from prep to serving each table. They presented a three-course meal featuring the following appetizer, entrée, and dessert: lobster and Boursin cheese fried ravioli in a spicy tomato cream sauce, sous vide pork chop with a bourbon mustard jus with ratatouille, and fried cannoli with chocolate ganache. The hard work, creativity, and passion shown by these young chefs were nothing short of inspiring.
Taste of the NFL
In February 2025, the Super Bowl returned to New Orleans. The event’s annual fundraiser, Taste of the NFL, used a Louisiana inspired culinary celebration to combat food insecurity and student hunger. Funds raised were dedicated to supporting school nutrition programs and delivering school meal equipment packages to high-need schools throughout Louisiana and in each of the NFL’s 32 markets across the nation.
Renowned hosts and Chefs Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, Tim Love, Lasheeda Perry, and Mark Bucher led this event, working in conjunction with many LRA Members including: Restaurant R’evolution, Brennan’s, Restaurant August, Dooky Chase Restaurant, Acme Oyster House, Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar, Palace Café, Jamaican Jerk House, Vyoone’s, Dakar NOLA, and Café Sbisa.
This event allowed our ProStart students the opportunity to meet industry leaders and engage with culinary professionals from a variety of backgrounds and environments The ProStart schools that participated in this experience included: Academy of Our Lady, East Jefferson High School, East St. John High School, Warren Easton Charter High School, John Ehret High School, Istrouma High School. New Orleans Career Center, St. Charles Satellite Center, West Feliciana High School, and Young Audiences Charter School.
Taste of the NFL attendees had the opportunity to enjoy autograph sessions with NFL greats, curated cocktails, a live auction for Super Bowl LIX tickets, a silent sports memorabilia auction, a fundraising “lunchbox” wall, and special FEED gift bags.
LRA Chapter Fundraisers
Each year, the LRA Chapters hold events with the proceeds benefitting the LRAEF. The LRA Cenla Chapter Taste of Mardi Gras Event, raised $30,000 for the Foundation. The LRA Bayou Chapter, through its Culinary Showcase, featured LRA member restaurants from their area and the Plaquemine High School ProStart Program. The LRA Greater Baton Rouge Chapter held two events this year: a golf tournament and Oktoberfest, where students from the Istrouma High School and West Feliciana High School ProStart Programs presented German-inspired dishes. The LRA Acadiana and Greater New Orleans Chapters each held golf tournaments. These activities are essential to the Foundation’s mission-driven success, and we are so appreciative to our volunteers, sponsors and members.
LRAEF Scholars
In 2025, the LRAEF awarded $60,000* in scholarships thanks to generous donations. In total, 17 scholarships were presented during the annual Serving the Future: Celebrating Careers in Hospitality event, presented by BRG Hospitality, on March 19, 2025. These scholarships provide vital support to Louisiana students pursuing careers in the restaurant, food service, tourism, and hospitality sectors.
Jim Funk Scholar
Christina Davis
Mansfield High School
University of New Orleans
Louisiana Seafood Scholar
Scott Siebert Jr.
Hahnville High School
Nicholls State University
Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management Scholar
Taralyn Stephens
Johnson & Wales University, B.S.
University of New Orleans, M.S.
Louisiana ProStart Student of the Year
Olivia Jarreau
Dutchtown High School
Nicholls State University
*includes Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Scholars
LRAEF Scholars
Christopher Polito
Mandeville High School
Attending Nicholls State University
Hezekiah Harnsberry
Northwest High School
Attending Culinary Institute of America
- San Antonio, TX
Jayce Tillman
Lake Arthur High School
Attending Nicholls State University
Layla Odle
Caddo Parish Magnet High School
Attending Louisiana Culinary Institute
Makala Henry
Warren Easton Charter High School
Attending Delgado Community College
Melissa Webb
St. Charles Catholic School
Attending University of New Orleans
Raven Ross
Lutcher High School
Attending University of New Orleans
Trevor Dieudonne
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Attending California Polytechnic State University
Whitney Revader Myers
Hahnville High School
Attending University of New Orleans
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Scholars
Through a generous annual gift awarded four scholarships valued at $5,000 each.
Isabella Russell
Fontainebleau High School
Attending University of Louisiana Lafayette
Jonathan Bush
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Attending Drexel University
Payge Oller
Hammond High Magnet School
Attending Louisiana State University
Rontrevius Foreman
Crowley High School
Attending Louisiana Culinary Institute
Louisiana Apprenticeship
In 2025, the LRAEF had 37 apprentices working with 13 employer partners across Louisiana.
On November 6, 2025, we held a graduation ceremony for two line cook apprentices. Patrick Holland, who began as a culinary student at New Orleans Career Center, became known as a respectful, responsive, hard worker at Cochon, where he completed his apprenticeship. Danilo Miranda, who completed his program at Jack Rose Restaurant in the Pontchartrain Hotel, was nearing completion of the culinary program at the New Orleans Job Corps when his instructors influenced him to join the apprenticeship program while concurrently taking Biology Classes at UNO. Both apprentices left a lasting impact on the teams they worked with and are a testament to the value of the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
2025 By the Numbers
2025 Annual Partners
$50,000 and above
Joe W. & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation
Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board
$20,000 and above
Auto-Chlor System
Acme Oyster House
Emeril Lagasse Foundation
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
LRA Greater New Orleans Chapter
$10,000 and above
BRG Hospitality
Zea Rotisserie & Bar
Fore Kids Foundation
Sysco
TABASCO ® Brand
$2,500 and above
LRA Bayou Chapter
UNO Kabaco f f School of HRT
Republic National Distributing Company
Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
Atmos Energy
LRA Cenla Chapter
Baton Rouge Epicurean Society
National Restaurant Association
Educational Foundation
LRA Greater Baton Rouge Chapter
Louisiana Hospitality Foundation
Mantilla Family Fund
Sodexo Live!
LRA Acadiana Chapter
QED Hospitality
B&G Food Enterprises
LRA Southwest Chapter
2025 Donor Honor Roll
LRA, LRA SIF and LRAEF Sta f f
Stan and Michelle Harris
Melchiode Marks
King, LLC
NeunerPate Law Firm
Genesis Information Services
Wright Rehabilitation Services
Anonymous Donors
Coca-Cola Bottling Company- UNITED
Latter Hospitality
A La Carte Foods Properties, LLC
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Ben E. Keith Company
Pitt Grill Restaurants
Pugh Accardo Attorneys at Law
Galloway Johnson
Tompkins Burr & Smith