The James Beard Foundation (JBF) announces today a transformative partnership with the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) that will expand the reach and impact of JBF’s legacy scholarship program, while strengthening support for the next generation of culinary talent.
Since 1991, the James Beard Foundation Scholarship Program has been instrumental in supporting the future of the culinary industry—awarding nearly $10 million in financial aid to over 2,000 recipients through cash scholarships, tuition waivers, and work-study grants at accredited culinary schools and institutions.
The program has steadily grown in both scope and impact, enabling food professionals to pursue education across the full spectrum of food and hospitality—from culinary and pastry arts to beverage studies, restaurant management, food and agricultural studies, and more.
Yet, today's culinary industry faces unprecedented challenges that require bold new solutions. While the scholarship program has been a cornerstone of the Foundation's work, alongside the iconic Beard House and prestigious James Beard Awards, our role must evolve to meet these emerging needs. Flagship programs like our Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change, Women's Leadership Entrepreneurship Program, and Legacy Network—as well as crucial new initiatives like the Climate Solutions for Restaurant Survival campaign—reflect our commitment toward a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future for independent restaurants.
As such, we are excited to announce the transition of the James Beard Foundation Scholarship Program to Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP). For over 30 years, C-CAP has been a leading national nonprofit providing essential skills, college scholarships, and career opportunities to over 370,000 students across nine metro regions through their hospitality education and workforce development programs. Founded in 1990 by culinary educator Richard Grausman and co-chaired by chef Marcus Samuelsson, C-CAP serves 23,000 students annually, having awarded $73 million in college scholarships to date. Their demonstrated expertise, extensive industry network, and proven scholarship administration make them the ideal partner to carry this work forward. Effective immediately, all existing JBF scholarship funds will now be administered by C-CAP as The James Beard Foundation and C-CAP Scholarship Program, and any interest in funding new JBF-affiliated scholarship opportunities will be managed through C-CAP's established framework.
Below are the current scholarship opportunities that will transition as part of the program:
- The JBF Bern Laxer Memorial Scholarship at C-CAP
- The JBF and C-CAP Andrew Zimmern Second Chances Scholarship
- James Beard Foundation General C-CAP Scholarships
- The Jean-Louis Palladin work study grant
“Supporting education and empowering future culinary leaders has been fundamental to the Foundation since its inception—values that were deeply important to James Beard himself,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO, James Beard Foundation. “This partnership with C-CAP ensures these values will continue to thrive under the stewardship of a proven leader in culinary education, while allowing the Foundation to focus its resources on programs where we are uniquely positioned to lead.”
“We’re thrilled to provide our talented and highly deserving students and alumni the opportunity to gain education and career-development opportunities through the exceptional scholarships the James Beard Foundation offers,” says Tanya Steel, C-CAP’s co-executive director. “We are training the next generation of food leaders, many of whom will one day be part of the James Beard community.”
We are proud of the lives our scholarship program has touched and excited for this new chapter. Together with C-CAP, we will create even stronger pathways for tomorrow's culinary leaders and shape the future of our industry.
Click here to learn more about C-CAP.
