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Meet the 2025 Class of US Foods Scholars Shaping the Future of Foodservice

via Business Wire

These 18 Rising Stars Represent Top Culinary Programs Across the U.S.

Today, US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE: USFD) – one of America’s leading foodservice distributors – introduced its 2025 class of US Foods Scholars. This year’s class includes 18 outstanding students from 14 schools nationwide, who are pursuing 2- or 4-year post-secondary degrees in culinary arts, hospitality, baking and pastry, or business management. Each US Foods Scholar will receive a $20,000 scholarship to support their continued education, as well as professional development opportunities with US Foods.

According to the National Restaurant Association1, the industry is expected to add more than 200,000 new jobs this year. The US Foods Scholars program, launched in 2017, was created to help meet this need by providing financial support and hands-on learning opportunities to culinary and hospitality students pursuing careers in the industry. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $2.4 million in scholarships to more than 120 students, helping them reach their academic goals and enter the workforce. Currently, more than 30 active US Foods Scholars are working toward their degrees.

“As aligned with our commitment to helping our customers and the community ‘Make It’, we are proud to support the next generation of culinary professionals through our US Foods Scholars program,” said Lisa Whitson, Vice President, Corporate Communications at US Foods. “Our newest Scholars represent the future of foodservice, and investing in their growth will benefit operators and the industry at large. We’re excited to celebrate this year’s cohort and the impact they’ll make in the years ahead.”

The 2025 US Foods Scholars scholarship recipients are:

  • Josie Anaya, a hospitality management major at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. Hometown: Rockaway Beach, N.Y.
  • Justin Boyd, a business management major with a concentration in Hospitality and Food & Beverage at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. Hometown: Bakersfield, Calif.
  • Madison Brown, pursuing an associate’s degree in culinary arts and baking & pastry at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif. Hometown: Laguna Niguel, Calif.
  • Allie Harris, a culinary arts major at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Hometown: Springville, Utah.
  • Michael Hindley, a culinary arts major at Monroe College in New Rochelle, N.Y. Hometown: Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
  • Zoe Holland, a baking & pastry arts major at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, N.C. Hometown: Tucker, Ga.
  • Montye Ibokette, a hospitality management major with a focus on Restaurant and Food Service at Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio. Hometown: Columbus, Ohio.
  • Brooklyn Jones, a management & leadership and business economics major at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis. Hometown: Big Bend, Wis.
  • Diana Madariaga, a culinary arts major at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Hometown: Midvale, Utah.
  • Margaret Mello, a business management major at Providence College in Providence, R.I. Hometown: West Windsor, Vt.
  • Natalie Moyer, a culinary arts management major at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Ill. Hometown: Oak Lawn, Ill.
  • Keri Okeson, a culinary arts major at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Hometown: West Valley City, Utah.
  • Jasleen Parmar, a food business management and nutrition major at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. Hometown: Middlesex, N.J.
  • Westley Penland, a nutrition major at Purdue Global. Hometown: New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
  • Shelby Peterson, a culinary arts major at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Hometown: Grantsville, Utah.
  • Gavin Preston, an applied food studies major with a concentration in Asian or Mediterranean cuisine at The Culinary Institute of America in Dutchess County, N.Y. Hometown: New Market, Md.
  • Simone Robinson, a nutrition and dietetics major at Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio. Hometown: Columbus, Ohio.
  • Zoe Wilcox, a hospitality and tourism major with a concentration in event marketing at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Ala. Hometown: Mobile, Ala.

The US Foods Scholars program is administered in partnership with Scholarship America and Careers through the Culinary Arts Program. All US Foods Scholars are selected through a competitive application process that considers academic achievement, financial need, and a personal essay that reflects their passions and goals.

To learn more about the US Foods Scholars program and the newest recipients visit www.usfoods.com/scholars.

1 National Restaurant Association: 2025 State of the Restaurant Industry Report

About US Foods

With a promise to help its customers Make It, US Foods is one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 250,000 customer locations and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With more than 70 broadline locations and more than 90 cash and carry stores, US Foods and its 30,000 associates provides its customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill. Visit www.usfoods.com to learn more.

About Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP)

Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) is a national nonprofit that educates and guides underserved high school students toward a bright future. C-CAP prepares students for the workplace through chef mentoring, field trips, work experience and job training, scholarships, and college and career advising. Founded in 1990 by culinary educator Richard Grausman, C-CAP impacts over 17,000 students each year. Countless C-CAP alumni work throughout the country and are guiding the future leaders of the culinary and hospitality industry. Visit ccapinc.org to learn more.

“As aligned with our commitment to helping our customers and the community ‘Make It’, we are proud to support the next generation of culinary professionals through our US Foods Scholars program,” said Lisa Whitson, Vice President, Corporate Communications

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