NRAEF : Blog
Celebrating International Women’s Day at ProStart®

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights.” At ProStart®, we strive to empower, enrich and improve representation in the restaurant industry so every generation sees growth and development. Our mission is to continue making strides so the students of the future will experience a new meaning of diversity in the classroom and workplace.
Each year on March 8th, we recognize the women who have made an influential change in our kitchens, and continue to inspire girls in following their passions to become chefs, restaurant executives, and so on. We are proud to be part of an industry that employs more women in higher-up positions than any other economy.

Want to learn more about how programs like ProStart and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation are empowering women in the restaurant industry? Check out these stats:
+ 60% of ProStart® students are female
+ 66% of qualified scholarship applicants identified as female for NRAEF’s 2017 scholarship application.
+ In 2019, entry-level positions held by women in the restaurant industry reached 58%.
+ In 2019, managerial positions held by women in the restaurant industry reached 47%.

Latest Blog Posts
Chicago Chef Looks to Change Lives Through Culinary Mentoring
Recently, Chef Kisha was profiled on NBC 5 Chicago, where she discussed living her purpose as a mentor to young adults and kids who need a hand up in life.
Now Accepting Applications! Over $1 Million in Post-Secondary Scholarships
Individuals pursuing a post-secondary degree in the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry can now apply for more than $1 million in scholarships from the NRAEF.
A Capitol Gingerbread House to Remember
On November 29th, two students from Valencia College School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Molly Donahue and Faith Weber presented their vegan gingerbread house replica of the United States Capitol at the U.S. House of Representatives
National Apprenticeship Week Events – 11/14-11/20
During the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is celebrating the growth of industry apprenticeship and the potential it offers for the future of the industry workforce. See our calendar of NAW events.
NRAEF Participates in Apprenticeship Ambassador event
NRAEF joined other Apprenticeship Ambassadors at the White House for an event highlighting efforts to expand, diversify, strengthen, and modernize the nation’s Registered Apprenticeship programs.