Scholarships
Please scroll to the bottom for requirement details.
To be considered by the Grants & Awards Committee, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Have a current Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Identification Card or Driver’s License.
- Be an exemplary student, with a letter of recommendation from one (1) Chef Instructor and one (1) industry professional.
- Be currently enrolled in:
- Post-secondary college, with a major in either culinary or pastry arts. -OR-
- Culinary Arts program with acceptance and enrollment to a post-secondary culinary arts program. -OR-
- An ACFEF registered apprenticeship program.
- Must have participated in two (2) ACF Pittsburgh Chapter Events & Meetings
- Have a career goal of becoming a Chef or Pastry Chef.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Must be able to attend and travel to the National Convention should the candidate choose that award.
- Submit the completed application by the deadline of January 31st, 2027.
Submit Online application HERE
- OR -
Submit the completed scholarship application and supporting documentation to: [email protected]
ACF Pittsburgh Chapter Chef William Foust Scholarship Instructions
Applicants will be evaluated on the criteria listed below. Only completed and signed applications will be reviewed by the scholarship selection committee.
Career Excellence: Letter of Reference from a Culinary Leader / Mentor. Submit one (1) letter of recommendation from your culinary instructor and one (1) letter of recommendation from an industry professional. Family members/relatives and significant others are ineligible to write the letter of recommendation.
Volunteer for Industry Activities: Culinary volunteer involvement for school and industry-related activities. Examples include community charity events, food pantries, cooking for disaster relief, volunteering as a judge for student completions such as Skills USA, or ProStart, cooking at a homeless shelter, or working at a charity dinner. A letter verifying volunteer service must be submitted as proof. (Not required however encouraged).
American Culinary Federation Involvement: Involvement in ACF-related activities including attending local chapter meetings, volunteering for chapter events, working on an ACF committee, or attending an ACF National or Regional event. ACF events were attended in the last 12 months. Submit details for verification on the application.
Selection Process: Selection will be based on the member’s overall chapter activities, volunteer opportunities, participation in culinary activities, competitions (if applicable), and submission of the candidate's essay. In addition, a basic application mentioned above must be submitted.
Notice of Awards: Members will be notified by email of any educational grant award or denial. Candidates will be informed of the Award status by February 15th, 2027.
Media Release and Waiver: Through application submission, Grant applicants acknowledge and grant permission for images of themselves, captured through video, photo, and digital camera, to be used solely for ACF-Pittsburgh Chapter promotional material and publications, and waive any rights of compensation or ownership.
National Scholarships are available from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation. Details below...
The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation, with the support of the American Academy of Chefs (AAC), is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships annually to students:
- Apprenticeship program - up to $1,500
- Certificate programs - up to $1,500
- Postsecondary degree programs - up to $2,500
Thank you to our members and partners who generously donate funds. In addition to general scholarship donations, the following funds support our scholarship offerings:
- AAC Andrew Macrina Scholarship
- AAC Balestreri/Cutino Scholarship
- AAC John Kacala Scholarship
- AAC Ray & Gertrude Marshall Scholarship
- Chef Chris Neary Scholarship
- Chef Daniel D'Angelo Scholarship Fund
- Linda Cullen Scholarship
