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 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.  

Board of Trustees

Adam Barrons, Chairman, Ecolab
Sam Toia, Second Vice Chairman, Illinois Restaurant Association
Bryce Burton, First Vice Chair, Sysco
Wayne Hilston, Treasurer, EMPLOYERS
Brad Vancil, Secretary, HMS Host

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Leigh Uhlir, Kendall College at National Louis University
Deven Rand, NA Concessions

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mike Coker, Coker Service Inc.
Christine DeSousa, Nestlé
Patti Green, Aramark
Joel Reynolds, DePaul University
Rayva Myles, ASM Global
Natalie Olund, US Foods
Richard Schneider, Areas
Renee Sykes, Ritz-Carlton
Viviana Radenbaugh, The East Bank Club
Anthony Terlato Jr., Terlato Wine Group
Byron Williams, Compass/Chartwells

HONORARY TRUSTEES & ADVISORY BOARD

Rochelle Trotter, R’Culinaire, Chair Emeritus
Dan Raskin, Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen
Dan Hart, Gordon Food Service
Wook Kang, Kendall College at NLU
Kathryn Thanas, Lou Mitchell’s
Tyler Bruesewitz, Edward Don
Doug Bradley, Bradleyworks

STAFF

Jessica Blomquist, Executive Director