Hospitality Industry Awards $112,000 in Scholarships, Grants.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina's hospitality industry announced $112,000 in scholarship and grant awards today through the NC Hospitality Education Foundation, NC HEF. NC HEF is a charitable nonprofit organization committed to supporting the future of NC's restaurant, lodging and tourism industries

Major scholarship awards include:

* A $10,000 renewable Johnson & Wales University Scholarship to graduating high school senior Jessica C. McBee of Gastonia;

* A $4,000 Golden Corral Scholarship to rising college junior Susan M. Long of Mount Holly;

* A $4,000 IFH Foodservice Distribution Scholarship to rising college senior Deja J. Waymer of Charlotte; and

* A $4,000 K & W Cafeterias Scholarship to rising college junior Daniel C. Buchanan of Spruce Pines.

Johnson & Wales University, Golden Corral and IFH Foodservice Distribution are Founding Partners of NC HEF. K & W Cafeterias is an Industry Partner.

New scholarships to graduating high school seniors include:

* Robert C. Brehm, Pinehurst

* Brittany E. Cilinceon, Mount Ulla

* Jordan P. Grant, Boone

* Matthew A. Hairgrove, Thomasville

* Jonathan P. Martinson, Greensboro

* Kristie M. Meadows, Linden

* Sara A. Nanney, Winston-Salem

* Christina M. Smith, Pisgah Forest

* Michelle B. Suber, Kings Mountain

* Setlar H. Sykes, Matthews.

NC HEF also provides scholarship awards to undergraduate students enrolled in culinary arts, hospitality management, or tourism programs, as well as to the children of restaurant employees.

Recipients of educational grants to support student, faculty and program development in NC schools, include:

* Ayden-Grifton High School (Susan Dawson)

* Scotland High School (Steven Dibble)

* Wilkes Central High School (Jennifer Estes)

* Lumberton High School (Rose Freeman)

* Smoky Mountain High School (Shirley Haigler)

* Elkin High School (Debbie Haynes)

* West Stanly High School (Ellen Mabry)

* Iredell-Statesville Schools (Linda Marshall)

* Purnell Swett High School (Barry Oxendine)

* Alamance Community College (Doris Schomberg)

* North Lenoir High School (Angela Taylor)

* Nash Community College (Gregory Quintard)

As interest in culinary arts and hospitality careers grows, fueled in part by celebrity chefs and the Food Network, North Carolina's schools are under increasing pressure to accommodate more students while lacking basic essentials. For instance, aprons, saute pans and knives.

For additional information on the NC Hospitality Education Foundation visit the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association's website at www.ncrla.biz and click on "Education Foundation" or call (800) 582-8750.