NRAEF Programs
Military
NRAEF works with all branches of the U.S. military while in service and in transition with programs to assist in their Military development, and transition skills needed for restaurant and foodservice jobs and careers during transition from the military.
ProStart®
From culinary techniques to restaurant management skills, ProStart’s industry-driven high-school curriculum provides real-life experience and creates opportunities for career exploration.
Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center
RHLC provides employers with accredited training programs for Line Cook, Kitchen Manager, and Restaurant Manager. RHLC’s Registered Apprenticeship Programs compliment the Youth Readiness and Employer Advancement programs which help people within the industry overcome barriers.
Restaurant Ready & HOPES
Restaurant Ready is dedicated to helping people acquire basic job and life skills necessary to pursue jobs in the restaurant & hospitality industry and jumpstart a pathway to independence.
Hospitality Opportunities For People (Re)Entering Society (HOPES) helps start justice-involved individuals on a path to employment and independence.
Scholarships
Each year, NRAEF awards more than $1 million in scholarships available to individuals pursuing a post-secondary degree in the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry. We also provide grants to individuals pursuing industry certifications, to educators for professional development, and to ProStart educators for classroom enhancements.
National Restaurant Association Resources
The National Restaurant Association serves our indutry to help strengthen operations, mitigate risk and develop talent, advance business vitality through advocacy, and drive knowledge and collaboration. The Association provides a variety of training and certification programs for restaurant and foodservice works, as well as professional development and credentials for managers. Our flagship program, ServSafe®, is the industry standard for everything from basic food safety to management and workplace environment safety. We also have comprehensive resources for workforce engagement and industry statistics and trends.
Career Development News
Nominate a Restaurant Trailblazer: 2025 Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards Now Open to Honor Industry Visionaries
Submit nominations for awards in leadership, community engagement, and lifetime achievement by visiting ChooseRestaurants.org.
Honoring Excellence: Military Foodservice Units Celebrated for Culinary Service and Dedication
Leading foodservice teams from America’s Armed Forces recognized in Chicago during 2025 Military Foodservice Awards
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Launches JumpStart Initiative, Bringing Louisiana High School Students to Chicago for Immersive Experience at the National Restaurant Association Show
ProStart students from W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center selected for a weekend of restaurant-focused learning and interaction through the first-ever JumpStart Grant
