National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Awards $5,000 Scholarship at DC Central Kitchen’s 15th Annual Capital Food Fight

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation(NRAEF) sponsored the 15th Annual Capital Food Fight, hosted by DC Central Kitchen (DCCK), the nation’s first and leading community kitchen and partner of the Foundation’s Restaurant Ready job skills program.

The NRAEF’s sponsorship funded a scholarship for a DCCK graduate to continue his or her culinary education. This year’s winner was Christine Bates, a graduate from Class 112, who also received training from the NRAEF’s Restaurant Ready curriculum.

The event drew more than 1,000 guests to sample offerings from 80 of D.C.’s best restaurants while watching four local top chefs compete in a live onstage battle hosted and judged by the biggest names in the culinary world, such as Jose Andres, Spike Mendelsohn, Jennifer Carroll, Tom Colicchio, Andrew Zimmern and more.

“We were proud to be part of this star studded event and support DCCK, one of our Restaurant Ready partners right here in Washington,” said Rob Gifford, executive vice president of the NRAEF. “The night shined a light on our shared commitment to providing culinary training for those who are disconnected from jobs and careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry.” 

The brainchild of celebrity chef José Andrés, Chef and Owner of ThinkFoodGroup, the event celebrated its 15th year.

To learn more about Capital Food Fight, visit CapitalFoodFight.org. To learn more about the Foundation’s work to attract, empower and advance the future of the restaurant industry, visit ChooseRestaurants.org.

About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation  //  As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the industry’s training and education, career development and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to Attract, Empower and Advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice workforce. NRAEF programs include:  ProStart® – a high-school career and technical education program; Restaurant Ready – partnering with community based organizations to provide “opportunity youth” with skills training and job opportunities; Military – helping military servicemen and women transition their skills to restaurant and foodservice careers; Scholarships – financial assistance for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice and hospitality degrees; and, the Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship Project – a partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association providing a hospitality apprenticeship program for the industry. For more information on the NRAEF, visit ChooseRestaurants.org.