The James Beard Foundation Unveils 2013 Culinary Scholarships

Over $480,000 in Educational Scholarships and Professional Grants Available

New York, NY (March 27, 2013) - The James Beard Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2013 scholarship program, with over $484,000 in awards available. Established in 1991, the James Beard Foundation Scholarship Program assists aspiring and established culinary professionals who plan to further their education at a licensed or accredited culinary school.

"Our foundation is proud of the fact that we have significantly increased our commitment to offering financial aid through our prestigious scholarship program," said Diane Harris Brown, director of educational and community programming for the James Beard Foundation. "Since its inception, our scholarship program has been dedicated to educating the future great chefs and restaurateurs of America. As of this year, we will have awarded over $4.5 million in financial aid to 1,570 admirable recipients."

New offerings for 2013 include The Elkes Family Culinary Scholarship which will grant full tuition for the education of an aspiring culinary student at a school of their choice; Sunday Supper scholarship support, which has now been expanded to include Washington, D.C. in addition to Atlanta and New York; and new exclusive scholarships for residents in the states of Florida, Nevada, and Oregon. Additionally, JBF School Scholarships will include 14 participating schools with the additions of Le Cordon Bleu Minneapolis-St. Paul and Santa Fe Culinary Academy.

The James Beard Foundation also offers grants for current working culinary professionals to expand their culinary experiences. As in previous years, the Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant, in memory of one of the great culinary geniuses of the 20th century, will be offered, enabling a qualified professional to work with food producers at their source. There is also a new and notable Professional Study/Travel Grant for chefs or sommeliers, funded by the Rhone Rangers, a group dedicated to advancing the knowledge and enjoyment of Rhone wines produced in America.

The James Beard Foundation Scholarship Program is administered by the Scholarship Management Services division of Scholarship America, a nonprofit organization that has helped award scholarships to over one million students. Applications for scholarships are received and evaluated by Scholarship America. The applications of the finalists are then submitted to the James Beard Foundation's Scholarship Selection Committee for final review.

Application forms will be available at http://sms.scholarshipamerica.org/jamesbeard. The submission period begins on April 1, 2013. All scholarship application materials, including transcript, must be postmarked by May 15, 2013. Professional grant applications must be postmarked by June 15, 2013. Scholarship winners will be notified in August 2013.


About the James Beard Foundation:
Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation is dedicated to celebrating, nurturing, and preserving America's diverse culinary heritage and future. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, James Beard, who died in 1985, was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, instilling in them the value of wholesome, healthful and delicious food. Today the Beard Foundation continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships for culinary students, publications, chef advocacy training, and thought-leader convening. The Foundation also maintains the historic James Beard House in New York City's Greenwich Village as a "performance space" for visiting chefs. In September o