Scholarships

The Casper’s have served the community with great food in an exceptional environment for 54 years. The founder Bob Casper Sr. purchased the Cherokee Sirloin Room in 1970. It was carried on by his sons Tom, Rick, and Jim Casper. Today, his grandson, Ted Casper continues the Casper tradition at the Nook and Shamrock’s restaurants. To continue building successful hospitality businesses, the Casper’s want to encouragestudents to apply for this scholarship.

For more than 150 years, Cargill has brought food, agricultural, financial and industrial products to people and communities all around the world. Cargill Foodservice is a commercial and sales team that helps the leading foodservice companies thrive by collaborating to develop new products, build better supply chains, manage risk and elevate quality of life for their consumers. Altogether, Cargill has 150,000 employees working every day to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, sustainable way. Cargill is an HMEF Leaders Fund Gold Sponsor.

The Carlson Family Foundation has a strong tradition of giving rooted in the philosophy of its founder, Curtis L. Carlson. Curtis and Arleen Carlson fostered a sense of community and a spirit of giving in their family, establishing a family legacy of philanthropy. “Whomever you serve, serve with caring.” The organization is an HMEF Leaders Fund Gold Sponsor.

The Greater Minneapolis Hotel Association partners with the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation Is to provide financial support towards the development and growth of the Hospitality & Tourism Management Program in Minnesota high schools.

Each year, HMEF awards a unique scholarship called the Heart of Hospitality. It is a scholarship that is earmarked for a candidate who shows great passion for the hospitality industry and is taking steps to move forward in their career goals.

It is the preference of the Mihajlov Family that the Mihajlov Family HMEF Scholarship be awarded to an individual in need of financial support in order to complete their post-secondary education in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management with the intent of preparing for a career in culinary arts or restaurant management.

Since 1946, Murray’s Restaurant in downtown Minneapolis has presented a menu with exceptional choices and its special focus on beef has received the greatest accolades. Murray’s famed “Silver Butter Knife Steak” has become a tradition for locals and made the restaurant a destination for travelers. The scholarship is presented in memory of Pat Murray, the second generation “restaurateur extraordinaire” by the Murray family.

Sysco is a leading marketer and distributor of food and foodservice products. Sysco products and services can be found in approximately 400,000 foodservice establishments throughout North America Including restaurants, hotels, schools, healthcare facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes, and theme parks, along with in-store bakeries and delis. Sysco Minnesota is an HMEF Leaders Fund Gold Level Sponsor.

The Toby Foundation organized a charity golf tournament in 1985 in honor of Toby Landgraf. The tournament’s proceeds provide scholarship opportunities for hospitality students. The tournament has raised over $500,000 since 1985 and has assisted over 400 hospitality college students from Minnesota.

The Two Tuesday Dinner Club (TTDC) was founded in November 2001 by Liz Rammer, long before she served as CEO of Hospitality Minnesota. The group is comprised of 16 professional women who meet at 7 pm the second Tuesday of every month to dine at a different small neighborhood restaurant. Over the past 22 years, the group has dined at over 200 restaurants in the Twin Cities metro area. Beyond the enjoyment of sharing a meal together, club members have supported one another both personally and professionally.

We are a local leader in food service. For over 50 years, we’ve prided ourselves on helping thousands of businesses and organizations thrive in the food industry. At a time when other distributors are looking for ways to cut corners, we’re focused on boosting your bottom line with innovative, cost-effective solutions and products. Our commitment to family runs deep. This includes giving back to the communities where our customers are located. Each year, Upper Lakes Foods distributes thousands of dollars and products within the communities we serve. Our primary focus includes youth activities, breast cancer awareness and food distribution.

Three companies are contributing to the Best Western Scholarship. The Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn features 89 rooms, meeting facilities for 350 and includes dining in Rudy’s Redeye Grill. Rudy’s Rooftop has been named one of the “Twin Cities Best Rooftops.” The hotel is a pillar of its community, supporting a wide range of events and causes.