James Beard Culinary Scholarships 2014 Open On April 1st
Beginning April 1st, the James Beard Foundation will begin accepting applications for its 2014 culinary scholarship program, totaling $450,000 in scholarships and grants. In order to apply, applicants usually need a high school diploma or GED, but in special cases, appropriate life or work experiences is sufficient.
Notable culinary figures who have received scholarships from the foundation include Christina Ha of Macaron Parlour, Ben Pollinger of Oceana, and Jose Ramirez-Ruiz of Chez Jose.
This year's programs include: the Second Chances scholarship from Andrew Zimmern which will offer a culinary student who has faced extreme hardships another chance to pursue their goals, an unrestricted scholarship sponsored by Spencer's Restaurant on the Mountain, the Green Door Gourmet Scholarship for a culinary student with a particular interest in sustainable farming, Miljenko "Mike" Grgich's American Dream Scholarship for professional wine studies, and the Union Center National Bank Scholarship, presented to a student from New Jersey who has "an entrepreneurial spirit and aspiration for excellence."
The James Beard Foundation will also offer tuition waver scholarships to select culinary and hospitality programs, as well as work study grants for culinary professionals who wish to expand their horizons. For more details, visit the James Beard Foundation's scholarship application page.
All scholarship applications must be postmarked by May 15thand professional grant applications must be postmarked by June 15th. Winners of the culinary scholarships will be notified in August.
Karen Lo is an associate editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @appleplexy.