Programs
FestEvents Foundation strives to enable workforce success for people in the restaurant and hospitality industry. With each program we develop, we want to give people the tools to make themselves, and our industry better.
First and foremost, our programming is intended to support people who make their living in food & beverage and hospitality. Skills training, mentorship, and community building programs provide recipients with the tools to work toward sustainable employment, financial independence, and industry pride.
Chef-ardy!
Chef-ardy! is a monthly (virtual) trivia night, hosted by a local chef. Teams of up to 4 people will compete in rounds of trivia question competition for prizes and gratitude, (heavy on the gratitude). Proceeds from Chef-ardy! provide funding for FestEvents Foundation’s ServiceReady! Program: providing no-cost TABC and FoodSafe certifications for restaurant and hospitality workers looking to re-enter the workforce.
ServiceReady!
ServiceReady! provides industry certifications at no cost for restaurant and hospitality workers who need to keep their certifications current during these challenging times. Currently the program provides TABC and TX Food Handlers certifications to program applicants. This program is funded by our monthly Chef-ardy! trivia nights.
Staff Meal
A collaboration between FestEvents Foundation and local industry community leaders, Chef Nick Walker and Senior Director of El Centro College Culinary, Pastry, Hospitality, Steve DeShazo to feed in-need restaurant and hospitality workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program ran from April 11 – June 13, 2020, serving 25,000 meals over 10 weeks.
Staff Meal Special
A second iteration of the Staff Meal program, “Staff Meal Special” supports both in-need restaurant and hospitality workers and local restaurants during the reopening of Texas from COVID-19 stay at home restrictions. This program launched on June 24, 2020.
Chefs of Tomorrow
Chefs of Tomorrow Culinary and Hospitality Scholarship awards $1,000 to students pursuing a degree in the Culinary and Hospitality industry. In its 2 years, the scholarship has awarded $20,000 to help further education and contribute to the dynamic culinary scene in North Texas.
The 2020 – 2021 Scholarship application is now open. All applications are due by November 30th and scholarships will be awareded by the end of the year.
