The Future of Our Industry Starts Here!

Education is the key to the future of the foodservice industry. The WRA Education Foundation works to advance professionalism and the future success of our industry through training, education and scholarships.

This year’s Celebration of Excellence is a truly special evening celebrating the vibrant young talent entering the foodservice profession and honoring distinguished members of our industry for their passionate commitment and dedication to education.

Funding for the scholarship awards are provided through the WRA Education Foundation’s Endowment Fund and would not be possible without the generosity of individual restaurateurs, organizations and supplier companies.

Restaurateur
Joe Bartolotta - Bartolotta Restaurant Group

Chef
Paul Smitala - Black Wolf Run

College Educator
Jenn Solloway-Malvitz - Fox Valley Technical College

High School Educator
Russ Tronsen - Badger High School

Aaron Berg
ProStart High School: Sheboygan North
Attending: Milwaukee Area Technical College

Kendall Kelly
ProStart High School: Badger (Lake Geneva)
Attending: The Culinary Institute of America

ACF Chefs of Milwaukee
Felton Canon
Johnson & Wales University
Culinary Arts

Aderis DeRosa Scholarship
Marcy Nee
Madison Area Technical College
Culinary Arts

American Institute of Wine & Food
Aaron Berg
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Culinary Arts

Apitz/Quinnies Scholarship
Kendall Kelly
The Culinary Institute of America
Baking/Pastry Arts & Foodservice Management

Bernard & Maureen Schreiner Scholarship
Erin Larson
Madison Area Technical College
Culinary Arts

Brettschneider Scholarship
Kenya White
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Culinary Apprenticeship

Culver Family Scholarship
Jacob Barbian
University of Wisconsin Stout
Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism Management


Dick Kroening Scholarship
Brian Becker
Madison Area Technical College
Culinary Arts

Dougherty Family Scholarship
Vicki Stephani
Fox Valley Technical College
Hotel & Restaurant Management

Ernst Florsheim Scholarship
Jonathan Churan
The Culinary Institute of America
Culinary Arts

Fred Boelter Scholarship
Kendall Kelly
The Culinary Institute of America
Baking/Pastry Arts & Food Service Management

Heinz & Lisette Fischer Scholarship
Jennifer Ecklor
University of Wisconsin Stout
Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism Management

Herbert & Nada Mahler Scholarship
Pa Houa Vang
Johnson & Wales University
Baking & Pastry

Herman Leis Scholarship
Ellen Lilburn
Waukesha County Technical College
Culinary Management

Manufacturers’ Agents for the Food Service Industry Scholarship
Brittany Ramos
Roosevelt University
Hospitality Management and Foodservice

Miller Brewing Company Scholarship
Erin Molzner
University of Wisconsin Stout
Food Science

Ron & Lillian Heuser Scholarship
Clayton Maricle
University of Wisconsin Stout
Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism Management

William & Otto Brakebush Scholarship
Katelyn Kitzrow
University of Wisconsin Madison
Food Science ANS

WRA Milwaukee Chapter Scholarship
Admir Karabegovic
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Culinary Arts

WRA River Valley Chapter / Kristen Leffel Scholarship
Julia Julian
Madison Area Technical College
Culinary Arts

WRA Big Four Chapter Scholarship
Kayse Keller
LeCordon Bleu, Mendota Heights, MN
Patisserie and Baking

WRA Green Bay Chapter Scholarship
Tyler Koenigs
LeCordon Bleu, Chicago, IL
Culinary Arts

WRA Eastern Shore Chapter / NRA EF Co-Branded Scholarship
Anthony Gierke
Johnson & Wales University
Culinary Arts

WRA EF / NRA EF Co-Branded Scholarship
Aaron Berg
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Culinary Arts

WRA EF / NRA EF Co-Branded Scholarship
Samuel Heilmeier
University of Wisconsin Stout
Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism Management

WRA EdF / NRA EF Co-Branded Scholarship
Jason Horewski
University of Wisconsin Stout
Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism Management

WRA EF / NRA EF Co-Branded Scholarship
Kayse Keller
LeCordon Bleu, Mendota Heights, MN
Patisserie & Baking

WRA EF / NRA EF Co-Branded Scholarship
Cassandra Sargent
LeCordon Bleu, Mendota Heights, MN
Culinary Arts

WRA South Central Chapter / NRA EF Co-Branded Scholarship
Joshua Hochtritt
LeCordon Bleu, Mendoata Heights, MN
Culinary Arts

WRA West Wisconsin Chapter / NRA EF Co-Branded Scholarship
David Cunningham
University of Wisconsin Stout
Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism Management

WRA EF Special Services Award
Timothy Rutkoske
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Culinary Arts

WRA EF Special Services Award
Whittney Valosck
Blackhawk Technical College
Culinary Arts