Taste of Buffalo & Tops: Scholarships for seniors aspiring to careers in food service & hospitality

Taste announces addition of 2025 Eric DuVall What’s Next Fund Memorial Scholarship in honor of late board member, along with April 17 deadline

Taste of Buffalo Press Release & Photo

The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops Friendly Markets is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program to support Western New York-area high school seniors aspiring to careers in the foodservice, hospitality and culinary arts industries. This year’s program will award five total scholarships:

√ Three $1,000 scholarships on behalf of the Taste in partnership with the Eric DuVall What’s Next Fund

√ A $1,000 scholarship in partnership with Tops Markets

√ A $3,500 scholarship in memory of late Taste board member Eric DuVall in partnership with the Eric DuVall What’s Next Fund

To be eligible for any of these five scholarships, students must be residents of Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming, Genesee, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus or Allegany counties, and have enrolled in a two or four-year college in an eligible degree program.

The three $1,000 scholarships and the $3,500 scholarship will be awarded to students who will pursue a degree in the food service or hospitality industries such as chef, baking and pastry arts, travel and tourism, or hotel management. The $1,000 scholarship awarded in partnership with Tops is targeted toward students pursuing a degree in a culinary arts or culinary arts management discipline such as nutrition and wellness, holistic nutrition, food entrepreneurship, food retail operations, restaurant operations, food science, dietetics, food stylist or food photography.

The 2025 Eric DuVall What’s Next Fund Memorial Scholarship was created this year in honor of Eric DuVall, a dedicated volunteer, board member and officer for the Taste of Buffalo, who passed away in 2022. The scholarship was made possible through a generous donation from the Eric DuVall What’s Next Fund.

“We’re proud to award a talented Western New York student the Taste of Buffalo scholarship, valued at $1,000,” said Ron Ferri, president of Tops Friendly Markets. “This scholarship reflects our ongoing commitment to the Taste of Buffalo and gives us a meaningful way to support the next generation as they chase their dreams.”

Applicants may apply for either the Taste of Buffalo scholarship, the Tops scholarship, or the Eric DuVall What’s Next Fund Memorial Scholarship. The Taste and Tops encourage interested applicants to select the scholarship that best fits their career path and apply for only one.

“The Taste of Buffalo’s commitment to the restaurant and food service industry runs deep, and we are thrilled to once again help foster the next generation of the culinary and hospitality workforce through our annual scholarship program,” said 2025 Taste of Buffalo Chair Matthew Reis. “We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our valued presenting sponsor Tops, as well as the Eric DuVall What’s Next Fund, for helping keep Eric’s legacy alive through their philanthropy.”

For additional scholarship criteria or to download an application, click here. The application deadline is April 17. Selected recipients will be notified no later than May 5.