Committed to Developing Tomorrow’s Food Service Leaders Today!

The Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization 501(c)(3) dedicated to build and promote the health and prosperity of the restaurant industry by investing in our youth and our workforce.

Through initiatives centered around the ProStart® Program, career exploration, job readiness training, and yearly scholarships, the Educational Foundation is constantly striving to make a difference in the Illinois foodservice industry.

Support the future of hospitality by donating to the IRAEF Scholarship Program. Click here to contribute to the IRAEF today!

 

Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

In October 2020, the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF) launched the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. This statewide emergency assistance fund was established to provide direct financial support to restaurant industry workers in Illinois who face an unforeseen hardship due to COVID-19. The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund was made possible thanks to the generosity of our founding donors at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Constellation, Beam Suntory, Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois (ABDI), EMPLOYERS, and Josh Cellars, along with our champion donors and charitable partners. The IRAEF has provided grants to 565 foodservice employees, totaling over $290,000. 

The IRAEF's priority continues to be to support industry workers through the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. We have recently expanded the qualifications to offer emergency assistance to Illinois food and beverage employees facing an unanticipated hardship within the past 90 days, such as accident, illness, injury, death of an immediate family member, or natural disaster. Grants will help cover the cost of living expenses for life-altering events and range from $250-$3000. We are proud to continue to support restaurant employees, and thank you for your support! 

Click here to learn more about the IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund.  

 

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Board of Trustees

2026-2027 Officers

Adam Barrons, Chair
Ecolab

Brad Vancil, First Vice Chair
HMSHost

Sam Toia, Second Vice Chair
Illinois Restaurant Association

Tyler Bruesewitz, Treasurer
Edward Don & Company

Leigh Uhlir, Secretary
Kendall College

Executive Committee

Christine DeSousa
Acqua Panna & S.Pellegrino

Deven Rand
NorthAmerican Concessions

Anthony Terlato Jr.
Terlato Wine Group

Board Members

Mike Coker
Coker Service, Inc.

Patti Green
Aramark

Rayva Myles
Legends Global

Natalie Olund
US Foods

Viviana Radenbaugh
East Bank Club

Joel Reynolds
DePaul University

Richard Schneider
Areas

Renee Sykes
Ritz Carlton Chicago

Byron Williams
Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services

New Recommended for 2026

Kevin Chorzempa
Sysco

Dan Hart
Gordon Food Service

Wook Kang
Kendall College

Kevin Osterman
Employers

Board Emeritus

Doug Bradley
Board Emeritus, Bradley Works

Wayne Hilston
Board Emeritus

Dan Raskin
Board Emeritus, Manny’s Delicatessen

Kathryn Thanas
Board Emeritus, Lou Mitchells

Rochelle Trotter
Board Emeritus, R'Culinare Consulting

Staff

Jessica Blomquist
Executive Director