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Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops announces 2018 scholarships for foodservice & hospitality students

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Fri, Mar 2nd 2018 06:10 pm
The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program to support Western New York-area high school seniors in pursuit of higher education in the foodservice and hospitality industries. This year's program will award seven scholarship winners with a collective $8,500 to be applied toward their college educations.
"Since the program began in 1997, the Taste has awarded more than $80,000 in scholarships," added Richard McDermott, event chairman. "We're proud to continue our support of the local culinary community, especially with the addition of two new scholarships this year."
New This Year: Two Additional One-Time Scholarships. Each year, the Taste offers up to five scholarships in support of culinary arts education. This year, two additional one-time scholarships have been made possible, thanks to donations by the Taste's event coordinator and the Taste's sponsor partner: Smithfield Foods.
Supporting Women in Culinary Arts: The Taste has been granted $1,000 to be used to create a scholarship for the advancement of women in culinary arts. This scholarship will be awarded to a female graduating from high school in June, who is pursuing a degree in culinary arts.
"As part of the 2017 Women of Influence award, I received $1,000 to grant to a not-for-profit of my choice," said Connie Wendling, the Taste's event coordinator. "In the spirit of the award, I selected the Taste to receive the monies to create a scholarship specifically for women in the culinary field. I am very honored to have this opportunity and to be part of this outstanding festival."
Smithfield Foods Deli Brand Scholarship, Presented by Margherita and Healthy Ones: Two of Smithfield Foods' strategic deli brands, Margherita and Healthy Ones, have partnered to support future industry leaders. This $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to a college-bound student in Western New York who is pursuing a degree in foodservice, culinary arts or hospitality.
"Smithfield Foods has a long history of supporting our local communities, and it is especially exciting for our Margherita and Healthy Ones deli brands to partner with Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops to help a student pursue his or her passion and talent through a scholarship in the foodservice, culinary arts or hospitality industry," said Mike Baughman, Smithfield Foods director of marketing.
To be eligible for any of the above scholarships, students must be residents of Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming, Genesee, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus or Allegany counties. For additional scholarship criteria or to download an application, visit www.tasteofbuffalo.com. Application deadline is Tuesday, March 27.
About the Taste
The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is the nation's largest two-day food festival, attracting more than 450,000 visitors each year. The 35th annual Taste will take place July 7-8 along Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo. The Taste is a not-for-profit organization with more than 1,000 volunteers helping to put on the annual event. Approximately $390,000 has been raised at the festival for local charities in addition to five $1,000 scholarships awarded annually to local high school seniors pursuing a culinary or hospitality-related degree. For more information, visit tasteofbuffalo.com.

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