MISSION STATEMENT
The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation exists to enhance the industry’s service to the public through education, workforce development, and promotion of career opportunities.
The LRA Education Foundation is governed by its Board of Directors comprised of volunteer industry leaders who provide guidance, oversight, and strategic vision.
2024 LRAEF Board of Directors
Tammy Smitherman, Chair Heartland Payment Systems
Michael Eastman, Vice Chair Auto-Chlor Services
Greg Reggio, Secretary/Treasurer Taste Buds Management - Zea Rotisserie & Bar
Jason Jones, Immediate Past Chair Sysco
Garret LeBlanc
B&G Food Enterprises
Felton Jones Industry Representative PJ’s Coffee
Bobby Hufft Ecolab
Tony Rodrigue Acme Oyster House
Derrick Dunne
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Glen Armantrout JMH Enterprises
Octavio Mantilla BRG Hospitality
Stephen Hightower Baton Rouge Epicurean Society
Emery Whalen QED Hospitality
Dr. Yvette Green Academic Advisor UNO Kabacoff School of HRT
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023-2025
Goals
Measure program impact through the lens of ProStart, Scholarship, and Apprenticeship.
Articulate restaurant industry pathways to potential workforce.
Attract investment from LRA members, LRAEF board, and outside community for LRAEF programs.
Strategies
a.
Identify the correct tools to measure impact of programs and metrics.
Incorporate program impact surveys into annual ProStart teacher requirements as well as workforce development Develop strategic involvement based
Strengthen alignment between Industry and ProStart through workforce programs such as pre-apprenticeship.
Develop lesson plans on current industry pathways and careers for ProStart and Nonprofit Partners.
Incorporate industry pathway lesson plans into the ProStart curriculum and preapprenticeship curriculum.
Identify key impact data, significant events, and programmatic changes to effectively tell our story.
Educate all LRA staff and EF board directors on developed “elevator pitch.”
Attract financial investment from companies and foundations.
Cultivate partnerships with outside CBOs that are aligned with the LRAEF mission.
Revenue - $654,597 2024 FINANCIALS
For the first time, the LRAEF surpassed $650,000 in revenue! Thank you to all of our sponsors and partners for making this happen.
Thank you to LRA Chapters!
The Acadiana, Baton Rouge, Bayou, CENLA, Northshore, and New Orleans chapters contributed $111,950 for our educational programs.
Acadiana
$9,000
$6,000
Thank you the LRA Staff!
The Denim for Dollars program LRA staff raised $2,254 in 2024. Denim for Dollars is a fundraising campaign for our team members to donate $1 a week to the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation. In return, the LRA hosts Blue Jean Fridays.
Mission Spending -
$603,935
• Our mission focused events this year included: the Louisiana ProStart Invitational, Prostart Teacher Professional Development training and a ProStart Student Career Night.
• We funded 10 students and their educator to Baltimore for the National ProStart Invitational valued at $19,933.
Thanks to the Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation for gifting an additional $120,000 in micro grants to expand the commitment to our ProStart schools in 2024.
2023-2024
LOUISIANA PROSTART PROGRAMS
57 Programs Statewide with More Than 2,100 Students
ProStart is a 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.
Abbeville High School
Academy of Our Lady
Albany High School
Alfred Bonnabel High School
Ascension Parish ProStart
Belaire Magnet High School
Broadmoor High School
Caddo Career and Technology Center
Castor High School
Central High School
Chalmette High School
College Street T &
I Vocational Center
Covington High School
Denham Springs High School
Donaldsonville High School
East Jefferson High School
East St. John High School
Eunice Career and Technical
Education Center
Fontainebleau High School
French Settlement High School
George Washington
Carver High School
Hammond High Magnet School
Istrouma High School
Jefferson Davis Parish/ SOWELA Morgan Smith
Jennings Campus
John Ehret High School
Kenner Discovery High School
Lafourche Parish Career
Magnet Center
Lakeshore High School
Leesville High School
Live Oak High School
Louisiana School for the Deaf
Mandeville High School
Natchitoches Central High School
North Caddo High School
Northshore High School
Pearl River High School
Plaquemine High School
Rayne High School
Red River High School
Salmen High School
Slidell High School
South Beauregard High School
Springfield High School
St. Charles Satellite Center
St. Martin Parish College and Career Readiness Center
Sulphur High School
Tara High School
Terrebonne Career and Technical High School
W. D. and Mary Baker Smith
Career Center
Walker High School
Washington Career and Technical Education Center
West Feliciana High School
West Jefferson High School
West Monroe High School
West St. John High School
Woodlawn High School
Young Audiences Charter High School
During the 2023-2024 school year we welcomed 8 new programs!
Arlington Preparatory Academy
Bunkie High School
East Baton Rouge Career and Technical Education Center
Madison High School
Merryville High School
New Orleans Career Center
Pitkin High School
Warren Easton Charter High School
LRA CHAPTER FUNDRAISERS
Each year, LRA Chapters host activities whose proceeds benefit the LRA Education Foundation. Our ProStart students are an integral part of chapter events throughout the state. In February, several of our schools made cookies that were shared at the CENLA chapter’s annual Taste of Mardi Gras event. In April, students from Istrouma High School and Tara High School prepared bite-sized samples and served them at the LRA’s Day at the Capitol. In September, students from Istrouma High School and West Feliciana High School participated in the Baton Rouge chapter’s annual Oktoberfest, where they created German inspired dishes. The dessert from West Feliciana, a deconstructed Black Forest mousse, was particularly popular. In November, the Northshore chapter had its annual Sip N’ Sliders event, where students from Lakeshore High School, Mandeville High School, Salmen High School, and East St. John High School partnered with mentor restaurants and made desserts and sliders.
2024 LOUISIANA SEAFOOD
PROSTART INVITATIONAL
The Louisiana Seafood ProStart Invitational (LPSI) was held on March 6-7, 2024, in New Orleans at the Morial New Orleans Convention Center. Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board returned as the title sponsor, with Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers as our Management Competition sponsor, BRG Hospitality as our Culinary Competition sponsor, and TABASCO® Brand as our National Team sponsor. Judges for the event included professors from culinary programs across the state as well as acclaimed chefs.
MARCH 6-7, 2024
Scholarship prizes totaling more than $850,000 were offered by several universities, with prizes ranging from first to fifth place. Scholarships were provided by the Culinary Institute of America; Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts; Sullivan University; the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University; the Culinary Institute of Virginia; the University of New Orleans School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration; the New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute; Delgado Community College; and the Louisiana Culinary Institute.
• 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 secondplace 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.
Thanks to the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board and Lt. Governor Billy Nungessor for their continuing commitment to ProStart in Louisiana.
Culinary
First Second Third Fourth Fifth
2024 LPSI PLACEMENTS
Lakeshore High School
Chalmette High School
Ascension Parish ProStart
Pearl River High School
W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center
First Second Third Fourth Fifth Management
Chalmette High School
Hammond High Magnet School
West Feliciana High School
W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center
Academy of Our Lady
2024 LPSI JUDGES’ AWARDS
Culinary
Safety and Sanitation
Teamwork
Starter
Entrée
Dessert
Abbeville High School
Mandeville High School
West St. John High School
John Ehret High School
Ascension Parish ProStart
Management
Concept
Critical Thinking
Marketing
Presentation
Operations
West Feliciana High School
Sulphur High School
Hammond High Magnet School
Chalmette High School
W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center
SCHOOLS THAT PARTICIPATED AT LPSI 2024
Culinary Management
Ascension Parish ProStart
Abbeville High School
Belaire Magnet High School
Central High School
Chalmette High School
East St. John High School
Fontainebleau High School
Hammond High Magnet School
Istrouma High School
Jefferson Davis Parish/
SOWELA Morgan Smith Jennings
John Ehret High School
Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy
Lakeshore High School
Mandeville High School
Pearl River High School
Plaquemine High School
Rayne High School
Salmen High School
Sulphur High School
Tara High School
W. D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center
West Monroe High School
West St. John High School
Young Audiences Charter High School
Academy of Our Lady
Chalmette High School
Donaldsonville High School
Hammond High Magnet School
Istrouma High School
Jefferson Davis Parish
SOWELA Morgan Smith Jennings
Sulphur High School
Tara High School
W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center
West Feliciana High School
NATIONAL PROSTART INVITATIONAL
The National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) was held on April 26th-28th 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. Lakeshore High School represented Louisiana for culinary, while Chalmette High School represented for management. Lakeshore High School placed 26th out of 48 in the culinary competition, and Chalmette High School placed 6th out of 48 in the management competition.
Lakeshore’s culinary team produced a three-course meal that highlighted and elevated Louisiana ingredients. The starter was pan-seared scallops with lemon brie cream, lemon thyme oil, and parmesan crisps. The entrée was a Louisiana Coastal Plains 6oz filet, demiglace, puree of Louisiana sweet potatoes and golden beets, sautéed sweet potatoes and golden beets, and crispy shallots. For dessert, they made basil chocolate cremeaux with basilcinnamon infused Louisiana strawberries, spiced pistachio crumble, Louisiana blood orange and lemon curd, with a tempered chocolate shell.
Chalmette’s management proposal was on their conceptual restaurant, Española. Española is a fusion restaurant seamlessly integrating unique Hispanic flavors into New Orleansstyle cuisine. This innovative restaurant featured dishes such as Louisiana Citrus Shrimp Ceviche and Cochon De Lait Pupusas.
2024 SCHOOL SUPPORT FUND
In the Spring, the LRAEF and the Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation donated $70,000 to 30 schools , and in the Fall, this increased to $100,000 to 45 schools across the state. A total of $170,000 was provided to ProStart schools across the state through our School Support Fund. The School Support Fund, which is funded through grants and donations, as well as an ongoing partnership with the Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, exists to provide financial support for ProStart programs in the areas that teachers identify as the greatest need. The School Support Fund is open to all approved ProStart programs in need of additional financial support beyond the limited funding the state can provide. Funds went towards funding field trips, industry interactions, basic grocery supplies, and preparing for the Louisiana ProStart Invitational.
Schools that received funding through the School Support Fund are listed below:
Academy of Our Lady (Spring & Fall)
Albany High School (Spring & Fall)
Ascension Parish ProStart (Fall)
Belaire Magnet High School (Spring & Fall)
Broadmoor High School (Spring & Fall)
Bunkie High School (Fall)
Caddo Career & Technology Center (Fall)
Central High School (Fall)
Chalmette High School (Spring & Fall)
Denham Springs High School (Spring & Fall)
Donaldsonville High School (Fall)
East Jefferson High School (Fall)
East St. John High School (Spring & Fall)
Eunice Career & Technical Education Center (Spring & Fall)
Fontainebleau High School (Spring & Fall)
French Settlement High School (Spring & Fall)
George Washington Carver High School (Fall)
Hammond High Magnet School (Spring & Fall)
Istrouma High School (Spring & Fall)
Jefferson Davis Parish/
SOWELA Morgan Smith Jennings (Spring & Fall)
John Ehret High School (Fall)
Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy (Spring & Fall)
Lakeshore High School (Spring & Fall)
Lakeview High School (Fall)
Leesville High School (Spring & Fall)
Mandeville High School (Spring & Fall)
Natchitoches Central High School (Spring)
Pearl River High School (Spring & Fall)
Plaquemine High School (Spring & Fall)
Rayne High School (Fall)
Red River High School (Fall)
Salmen High School (Spring & Fall)
Slidell High School (Fall)
South Beauregard High School (Fall)
Springfield High School (Spring & Fall)
St. Martin Parish College & Career Readiness Center (Spring & Fall)
Sulphur High School (Spring & Fall)
Tara High School (Spring & Fall)
W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center (Spring & Fall)
Walker High School (Spring & Fall)
Warren Easton High School (Fall)
Washington Career & Technical Education Center (Spring & Fall)
West Baton Rouge Career & Technical Education Center (Fall)
West Feliciana High School (Spring & Fall)
West St. John High School (Spring & Fall)
Young Audiences Charter High School (Fall)
Jacob Gillett
“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.” Sulphur High School
CULINARY DREAMS COME TRUE IN ORLANDO
PROSTART GOES TO DISNEY WORLD!
Thanks to a partnership with Visit Orlando, New Orleans & Company,Southwest Airlines and Walt Disney World, students from Warren Easton High School and New Orleans Career Center were able to go on a once in a lifetime, all expenses paid trip to Walt Disney World, where they were able to be part of the grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The 2009 Disney movie “The Princess and the Frog” is set in New Orleans and features Tiana, a up and coming chef who aspires to open her own restaurant. The story of Walt Disney Animation’s “The Princess and The Frog” draws inspiration from Leah Chase, a legendary New Orleans chef and restaurateur. Leah Chase transformed her family’s establishment, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, into a cherished culinary landmark, which continues to thrive under the care of her surviving family members. For this special event, Leah Chase’s daughter, Stella, and granddaughter, Zoe, served as chaperones, adding a personal touch to the experience.
Our ProStart students embarked on a remarkable four-day journey designed to fuel their culinary aspirations and inspired by the Disney movie. This trip provided them with complimentary flights, accommodations, and theme park tickets, along with educational opportunities led by Disnechefs and professionals. Highlights included a behind-the-scenes experience at Victoria & Albert’s, located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, which recently earned a one-star MICHELIN rating as one of Orlando’s top fine-dining establishments. The trip was called “Culinary dreams do come true” and served as an industry experience where students were brought behind the scenes to multiple restaurants and talked to chefs throughout Walt Disney World Resorts. Participants also cooked lunch with Disney chefs at the Beach Club Resort. It was truly a fantastic experience for these ProStart students.
BATON ROUGE STUDENT NIGHT
With the goal of adding more student programming to our annual calendar, we hosted the inaugural Baton Rouge ProStart Student Culinary Night on November 12, 2024, at the East Baton Rouge Career & Technical Education Center. This event brought together 50 ProStart students from eight local high schools to explore their passion for the culinary arts and learn more about career paths in the hospitality industry. The evening was filled with interactive stations, live demonstrations, and inspiring testimonials from industry professionals and partners. Students had the opportunity to sample dishes provided by Zea Rotisserie, SoLou, and Drago's Seafood Restaurant. Students gained insights into various career paths while networking with representatives from organizations such as Ruffino’s, Fresh Chef Kitchen, Singer Equipment, EBR Schools, LSU School of Business, Sysco, Louisiana Culinary Institute, Making Raving Fans Hospitality Group, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, and Zea Rotisserie and Bar. These partners engaged students with activities like mock interviews, hands-on cooking experiences, and discussions about collegiate programs. By connecting students with industry leaders, the event highlighted the abundant opportunities available within the culinary and hospitality sectors. Thank you to the Emeril Lagasse Foundation for making this night possible.
EDUCATOR TRAINING
In July, we held the ProStart Educator Summer Training presented by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation at SOWELA in Lake Charles. These training days aim to enhance the skills and knowledge of our teachers. During the first day, new teachers were welcomed and trained on the ins and outs of all things Louisiana ProStart. They had the opportunity to meet one of our Member Service Coordinators, Britney Ford, and one of our Regional Directors, Jessica McChesney, who gave an overview about membership. We also organized a panel discussion featuring seasoned Louisiana ProStart teachers who shared their insight about best practices in ProStart. This discussion also covered topics such as competition expectations and strategies for finding additional resources and opportunities for students. They talked about everything from what to expect in competition to how to find more resources and opportunities for their students. On the second day, both new and returning teachers were welcomed. We analyzed trends from our involvements in both the Louisiana ProStart Invitational (LPSI) and the National ProStart Invitational (NPSI). Our ProStart teachers had the chance to present helpful ProStart tips to each other during a group sharing activity that was meant to help foster collaborative relationships between our teachers. We also arranged a tour of the restaurant kitchens at L’Auberge, allowing teachers to gain firsthand exposure to industry facilities. In the evening, we had a progressive dinner at Johnny Sanchez. The teachers were provided a memorable culinary experience with a four-course meal that showcased some of the biggest Hispanic food trends in 2024. The final day of summer training featured a presentation and interactive activity put on by representatives from the Seeds to Success program. In The group was also given a tour of the Culinary, Gaming, and Hospitality Center at SOWELA Technical Community College. We closed out the final day with an engaging pasta-making activity presented by Chef Jackson at SOWELA.
LRAEF SCHOLARS
In 2024, the LRAEF awarded $60,000 in Scholarships thanks to our generous donors. seventeen LRAEF scholars were provided in 2024.
Jim Funk Scholar
Abbey Warren
Ruston High School
Nicholls State University
Louisiana Seafood Scholar
Tammy Cecil Anacoco High School
Louisiana Culinary Institute
Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management Scholar
Jeremy Ledlow
University of New Orleans, B.S.
University of New Orleans, M.S.
LRAEF Scholars
Trinity Anderson
South Beauregard High School
Louisiana Culinary Institute
Christina Davis
Mansfield High School
University of New Orleans
Serena Holmes
Homeschooled
Nicholls State University
Shelly Huff
Biloxi High School
University of New Orleans
Celli McDonald
Natchez High School
Louisiana Culinary Institute
Katelyn Reuter
Buckeye High School
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Isabella Russell
Fontainebleau High School
University of Lafayette at Louisiana
Scott Siebert Jr.
Hahnville High School
Nicholls State University
Jayce Tillman
Lake Arthur High School
Nicholls State University
Samyiah Victorian
Chalmette High School
Nicholls State University
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Scholars
In partnership with Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, the LRA Education Foundation expanded the scholars program with an additional $20,000 in scholarships.
Rachel Cannata
Benjamin Franklin High School
Cornell University
Aronicia Hudson
George Washington Carver High School
University of New Orleans
Kaleb Johnson
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
The Culinary Institute of America
Alayna Moore
Buckeye High School
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
LOUISIANA APPRENTICESHIP
In 2024, we had 37 apprentices as well as expanded our pre-apprenticeship program by having 100% of our ProStart schools participate.
Through a partnership with Nunez Community College, 4 of our line cook apprentices completed a culinary class as part of their related training for the line cook apprenticeship. The LRA Education Foundation provided all transportation and also school materials such as laptops. Their classes were paid for by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
In June of this year, we had the pleasure of holding a graduation ceremony at Wakin’ Bakin’ for six of our apprentices who completed their Line Cook credentials. The six apprentices we honored at the event were Byron Duckett from The Windsor Court, Damar Carter from Wakin’ Bakin’, Greg Dominio from Link Restaurant Group, Zen Landry from Link Restaurant Group, Isaiah Talbert from JW Marriott, and Aiden Duhé from JW Marriott. 2024
By the Numbers
2024 ANNUAL PARTNERS
$50,000 and above
Joe W. & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation
Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board
Louisiana Restaurant Association Chapters
$20,000 and above
Auto-Chlor Services
Acme Oyster House
Emeril Lagasse Foundation
Ecolab
$10,000 and above
BRG Hospitality
Fore!Kids Foundation
$2,500 and above
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United
The University of New Orleans
Lester E. Kabacoff School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration
NATCO Food Service
Republic National Distributing Company
Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
Mantilla Family Fund
2024 Donor Honor Roll
LRA, LRA SIF and LRAEF Staff
Stan and Michelle Harris
Tammy Smitherman
Genex Services
TLC Linen Services
National Restaurant Association
Education Foundation
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Sysco
Tabasco® Brand
PJ’s Coffee
B&G Food Enterprises
Louisiana Hospitality Foundation
Zea’s Rotisserie & Bar
QED Hospitality
Melchiode Marks King, LLC
NeunerPate Law Firm
Galloway Johson Tompkins
Burr & Smith
Genesis Information Services
Wright Rehabilitation Services
Drago’s Seafood Restaurant
Mickey Freiberg
Anonymous Donors
Johnson, Yacoubian & Paysse