Scholarships
Congratulations to Our 2026 Scholars!
CRF awards $173,650 in cobranded scholarships to 88 deserving students
For over four decades, the California Restaurant Foundation has supported future industry leaders with college scholarships. Scholarships are up to $4,000 a year and support California students majoring in hospitality management, culinary arts, food science, and related fields. This year, the Foundation awarded $173,650 in co-branded scholarships to 88 deserving students!
Applications are open January 1 – May 1 each year. Check back here on January 1, 2027 to apply!
Thank you to our CRA Chapters and Scholarship Endowment Funds
Meet Some of the Guy Fieri Foundation Scholars
CRF Scholarship Opportunities
General Scholarship
Up to $2,000 for 2-year degree programs
Up to $4,000 for 4-year degree programs
What you’ll need: work experience hours, min 2.5 GPA, essay
$2,000 – $5,000
Submit a 30-second video or 2 photos with captions answering the question: what inspires you?
What you’ll need: work experience hours, min 2.5 GPA
Wienerschnitzel / Galardi Group, Inc. Scholarship
Do you or immediate family member work for Wienerschnitzel, Tastee Freez, Hamburger Stand, or Galardi Group? Apply for a scholarship!
Our Partners
- American Express Scholarship Fund
- Arthur Wynne Scholarship Fund
- Balestreri + Cutino Scholarship Fund
- David C Tallichet, Jr. / Specialty Restaurants Scholarship Fund
- Don + Dolly Karcher Scholarship Fund
- GoodSource Solutions
- Keurig Dr Pepper Scholarship Fund
- Kieran Collins Burke Scholarship Endowment
- M. Dariotis Scholarship Fund
- Mark Giovanini Scholarship Fund
- Milla O. Naylor Scholarship Fund
- RARE Chapter Endowment
- Rolf Lewis CCA Scholarship Fund
- Thomas + Jenny Fat Endowment
- Tom & Karen Ferdinandi Family Endowment
- Wendy Armour Scholarship Fund
- CRA Central Valley Endowment
- CRA Fresno Chapter Endowment
- CRA Los Angeles Chapter Endowment
- CRA Monterey Chapter Endowment
- CRA North State Endowment
- CRA Orange County Chapter Endowment
- CRA Sacramento Chapter Endowment
- CRA San Diego County Chapter Endowment
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF)
We encourage students to apply for other scholarships including the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). The NRAEF scholarship application must be completed online.
Open Doors to Opportunity!
Change the trajectory of someone’s life! Your donation can turn a student’s college dream into a reality. Any donation amount is welcomed, celebrated, and put to good use!
If you’re interested in establishing an endowment ($10,000+), please contact Erin at emascho@calrest.org to get started. An endowment is an incredible way to continue your legacy.
