IRA Educational Foundation Awards $178,000 in Scholarships

Last week, the IRA Educational Foundation held its annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon at Current Kitchen. 84 high school and college students were awarded $178,000 in scholarships, assisting them in their pursuit of culinary and hospitality degrees. 

The luncheon featured keynote speaker Christine Cikowski, Chef and Partner at Honey Butter Fried Chicken. Thank you to Jim Kallas, Division President of FOODWORKS, a Eurest Company, for graciously sponsoring the luncheon. We truly appreciate our many donors for contributing to the education of the next generation of industry leaders.  

Former IRA Chairman Dan Costello of Home Run Inn Restaurant Group was on hand to present the inaugural Joe Perrino Memorial Scholarship in honor of his late uncle, Former IRA Chairman Joe Perrino, to two students in the Pilsen and Little Village areas. 

Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients! For more information about IRAEF scholarships and programs, please contact IRAEF Executive Director Terrell Johnson. 

Click here to read more about the event from WBBM radio. 

Click here for more photos from the event.