GROW Catering Educational Foundation - ICAEF

GROW Catering Educational Foundation - ICAEF We support the catering community through scholarships, grants, educational programs, and opportunities. The Foundation is registered with the U.S.

The GROW Foundation (formerly ICAEF) is overseen by a dedicated team of catering professionals who are passionate about advancing the industry. Who We Are
GROW Catering Educational Foundation is a not-for-profit Foundation dedicated to providing educational opportunities for catering professionals and those desiring to become catering professionals. Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3)

of the Internal Revenue Code. What We Do
GROW Catering Educational Foundation makes arrangements with various educational organizations, trade shows and institutions to teach courses of instruction in catering, food handling and areas related to the field of catering, and provide qualified teaching personnel for such purposes. GROW Catering Educational Foundation supports the international catering industry at large by soliciting, managing and distributing funds for educational and charitable work related to the field of catering.

Lisa Preti, Operations Manager at Thomas Preti Events to Savor is the recipient of The Puff ’n Stuff Scholarship Lisa is...
12/19/2025

Lisa Preti, Operations Manager at Thomas Preti Events to Savor is the recipient of The Puff ’n Stuff Scholarship

Lisa is looking forward to her time at Catersource in March, 2026 to step back from the fast pace of the NYC market and focus on big-picture growth such as strengthening systems, refining processes, and learning from the collective wisdom of the catering industry.

After attending Catersource for the first time last year, she left energized, inspired, and full of ideas she was excited to bring back to her team.

Deeply connected to the family legacy behind Thomas Preti Events, Lisa is committed to carrying the business forward with care. She intends to honor the sacrifices that built it, nurture a strong company culture, and ensure employees are supported as they deliver exceptional food and flawless service.

We’re proud that our scholarships support leaders like Lisa who value people, process, and purpose. ✨

Congratulations Rabisoni Mberesero! is a valued member of the Aikama Catering team and a GROW Scholarship recipient to a...
12/17/2025

Congratulations Rabisoni Mberesero! is a valued member of the Aikama Catering team and a GROW Scholarship recipient to attend Catersource.

Rabisoni told us that he is eager to connect with industry peers, discover new ideas, and learn what’s next in catering such as innovative menus and emerging equipment to sustainability and operational efficiency. He’s especially excited to gain insights that help teams work smarter, stay competitive, and deliver unforgettable guest experiences.

His goal: to return inspired, better informed, and ready to apply practical strategies that support growth, creativity, and exceptional service at Aikama Catering.

We’re proud to support professionals committed to learning, collaboration, and raising the bar. ✨

Meet Carla Kessell, Chef/Owner and recipient of The Chef Reinhard Jacob Memorial Scholarship to attend Catersource this ...
12/15/2025

Meet Carla Kessell, Chef/Owner and recipient of The Chef Reinhard Jacob Memorial Scholarship to attend Catersource this coming March.

From starting as a hostess at 15 to graduating Summa Cum Laude from Johnson & Wales, Carla has spent her life immersed in hospitality. After a 20-year career with Sysco, she built a cult-favorite mobile crepe concept, eat. crepe. love., before turning her focus fully to catering — and now, her first restaurant, Matriarcha, opening this January.

Carla believes catering is about far more than food — it’s about thoughtful details, layered service, and creating a complete guest experience. She’s heading to Catersource eager to learn, connect, and return inspired with practical ideas to elevate her team, her events, and the industry she loves.

We’re honored to support her journey. ✨

Our GROW Scholarship stars for 2026 have been chosen! Thirty culinary pros from around the world will be attending Cater...
12/08/2025

Our GROW Scholarship stars for 2026 have been chosen! Thirty culinary pros from around the world will be attending Catersource March 2026 in Los Angeles thanks to a GROW Scholarship.

Stay tuned! We'll be sharing the inspirational stories of the four shown here, and other winners throughout the month.

Pictured: Carla Kessel, Walker Projects, Chef Reinhard Scholarship | Rabisoni Mberesero, Aikama Investment Ltd., The Catersource Scholarship | Niubelka Vasquez, Dish Food & Events, Elizabeth "Mom" Jones Inspired Scholarship | Sassy Portnow, Footers Catering, The Chef Daniel Keener Memorial Culinary Scholarship.

Congratulations to John Schiltz, a member of the GROW Board, for being inducted into the Hospitality Minnesota Hall of F...
12/08/2025

Congratulations to John Schiltz, a member of the GROW Board, for being inducted into the Hospitality Minnesota Hall of Fame this past week. John was honored for his lifelong contributions to the Minnesota restaurant and catering scene for the Lake Elmo Inn and Event Center and most recently, 1881 Eating House at Union Depot in downtown St. Paul. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

What would a Culinary Learning Journey be without a visit to the local markets? In every country we explore, markets are...
11/19/2025

What would a Culinary Learning Journey be without a visit to the local markets? In every country we explore, markets are where the true heartbeat of a culture lives. They reveal how people shop, eat, gather, and celebrate.

In Japan, our travelers wandered through aisles filled with exquisite ingredients—seasonal produce displayed like art, handmade goods crafted with intention, and curated items that reflect centuries of culinary tradition. Markets became more than stops on the itinerary; they were windows into daily life, craftsmanship, and the stories behind the flavors.

When we asked one of our CLJ cohorts, Jen Perna of Fulton Market Consulting for her advice to future Culinary Learning Journey travelers, she said it perfectly:

“Just book the trip and enjoy the ride.”

Simple, wise, and absolutely true.

Want to experience markets, meals, and moments like these in fabulous locations like Turkey, Northern Italy and The Azores? Our 2026 journeys are now open for early interest. Explore the trips in our link.


https://growcatering.org/culinary-learning-journeys/?utm_content=sked_691b7b45494983ef2bd534ef&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

Each bite was a sensation. On our GROW Culinary Learning Journey to Japan, meals were windows into the culture of Japan,...
11/17/2025

Each bite was a sensation. On our GROW Culinary Learning Journey to Japan, meals were windows into the culture of Japan, namely, the deep respect the Japanese have for ingredients.

From humble bowls of ramen and somen noodles to elegant, multi-course gourmet experiences, every meal invited us to savor new tastes.

Exploring the traditions behind each ingredient (we even did a deep dive dive into soy sauce during this trip!), taught from artisans who carry generations of knowledge in their kitchen is the spirit of every Culinary Learning Journey.

As our fellow CLJ traveler, Jason Capps put it so well: “The Japanese commitment to excellence, similar to Italy, shows how important food is in daily life. Not just the food we ate, but also how it was properly cultivated, cared for, and cooked, so that the end result speaks for itself.”

If you’re craving an experience that feeds both your curiosity and your palate, join us in 2026 as we explore new cultures, cuisines, and creative adventures. Visit the link here to see what's coming up.

https://growcatering.org/culinary-learning-journeys/?utm_content=sked_691b7a6411f3f8587def9a69&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

🍜 Somen on Shodoshima!On the island of Shodoshima, our GROW Culinary Learning Journey travelers discovered that making n...
11/07/2025

🍜 Somen on Shodoshima!

On the island of Shodoshima, our GROW Culinary Learning Journey travelers discovered that making noodles can be as much an art form as eating them.

We began in a centuries-old workshop where wheat flour, salt, and water are transformed by hand into thin strands. The process — knead, rest, twist, stretch — is repeated until the dough becomes nearly translucent. The noodles are then hung on long wooden racks, gently stretched and dried in the island breeze.

And then comes the fun part — the nagashi somen tradition! Once the noodles are ready, they’re released down a long bamboo chute of flowing cold water. Diners wait with chopsticks poised, catching the noodles as they glide by and dipping them into a cool, soy-based sauce.

It’s equal parts craft, play, and community — a joyful reminder that food connects us through both the making and the sharing.

✨ Want to experience culinary joy off the beaten path? Explore our 2026 journeys!

https://growcatering.org/culinary-learning-journeys/?utm_content=sked_690e113af2cd8b1b5de4fae9&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

DAY SIX | GROW CULINARY LEARNING JOURNEY, JAPAN 🇯🇵From Osaka Castle — one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks — to a serene...
11/05/2025

DAY SIX | GROW CULINARY LEARNING JOURNEY, JAPAN 🇯🇵
From Osaka Castle — one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks — to a serene evening ferry crossing, our travelers journeyed to the island of Shodoshima, where they spent a days exploring its rich culinary and cultural heritage.

Shodoshima, the second-largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, is said to be among the first islands born to the gods in Japan’s creation myth. Its name means “small bean island” — once referring to the azuki bean, but today, it might just as well honor the soy or olive. The island is home to a 400-year-old tradition of soy sauce production, with a dozen artisanal makers still crafting it by hand.

Of course, there was a soy sauce tasting which was a savory lesson in heritage, flavor, and time itself.

When in Japan do as the locals do — slurp! 🍜Our group of hospitality pros, chefs, and caterers on the GROW Culinary Lear...
11/04/2025

When in Japan do as the locals do — slurp! 🍜

Our group of hospitality pros, chefs, and caterers on the GROW Culinary Learning Journey discovered that in Japanese ramen culture, the slurp isn’t just good manners — it’s a sign of respect for the chef and the craft.

A delicious reminder that food is more than taste — it’s culture, connection, and knowledge served in every bowl.

✨ Join us in 2026 for the next chapter of our global culinary story.

https://growcatering.org/culinary-learning-journeys/?utm_content=sked_690a51e277b94305b5afc74a&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

JOIN US IN LOS ANGELES! That's right! Catersource will be held in Los Angeles, March 2 -5 2026. You could be eligible to...
10/31/2025

JOIN US IN LOS ANGELES! That's right! Catersource will be held in Los Angeles, March 2 -5 2026.

You could be eligible to attend on a GROW scholarship. Find out by going to the link in this post and applying by midnight tonight, October 31, PST!!

Our scholarships make it possible for qualified individuals, including owners, managers and employees of catering companies to attend educational experiences such as this.

📌 The scholarships include a Catersource Education pass for the conference and a $500 travel stipend paid to the company post-conference once the recipient submits their post-conference essay.

Learn more by going to the link. Our web page offers MANY more important details plus a practice application!

🕛 Midnight October 31 (PST) marks the deadline. No tricks, just a big treat (such as a scholarship) for those who make it.

What are you waiting for?!

https://growcatering.org/scholarships-2026/?utm_content=sked_6904dfacc77e8db88b9479d5&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

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8711 E Pinnacle Peak Road, # 104
Scottsdale, AZ
85255

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The ICAEF is a not-for-profit Foundation dedicated to providing educational opportunities for catering professionals. The Foundation is registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The ICAEF makes arrangements with various educational organizations, trade shows and institutions to teach courses of instruction in catering, food handling and areas related to the field of catering, and provide qualified teaching personnel for such purposes. Tax-deductible donations, contributions and endowments should be made payable to: International Caterers Association Educational Foundation (ICAEF) 8711 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, #104 Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Corinne Z. Dudine, Administrator [email protected]