Announcing the 2014 Yum-o! Scholarship Winners

The FUND component of Yum-o!’s mission helps kids reach their food-related career goals by funding culinary school scholarships. In partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), Yum-o! is pleased to announce 2014’s ten scholarship winners, who will each receive $2,500 scholarships to pursue their culinary education.

Christyn Kulas – Manchester Community College
Mark Eudy – The Culinary Institute of America
Kayla VerMulm – Johnson County Community College
Melanie Anderson – Hocking College
Kyle Karmeris – White Mountain Community College
Julia Lassalle – Nicholls State University
Jasmine Suyematsu – Southwestern Oregon Community College
Sydney Taylor – The Culinary Institute of America
Ali Ervin – Indian Hill Community College
Ivan Cordoba – Elgin Community College

A culinary arts major at Hocking College in Nelsonville, OH, Melanie Anderson shares, "After earning my associate’s degree here, I plan to go on to earn my business degree and eventually go on to own my own gourmet sandwich restaurant that I plan to branch out into a food truck. As the owner of this business, I plan to be very involved in the community around it. Your generosity has helped me to get even closer to reaching those goals and dreams and has also inspired me to give back to my community even more."

"I’m passionate about the food service industry and all aspects of it," says Sydney Taylor, a freshman at The Culinary Institute of America who is working towards her bachelor’s degree in Applied Food Science. Sydney intends to pursue food writing with a focus on healthy eating and living. "I am inspired by this scholarship, and it has inspired me to help others where I am able. I intend to be an example of where passion and hard work can take you," she says.

Also in partnership with the NRAEF, Yum-o! has awarded Drew Gaxiola with a special $15,000 scholarship to pursue his education. After struggling earlier in life, 20-year-old Drew connected with Old Skool Café, a youth-run supper club that provides jobs and training to at-risk youth. Drew’s scholarship was presented on the Rachael Ray show – watch this heartwarming story to learn more about Drew, who plans to open his own restaurant in the future. "I love cooking, just creating something – making nothing into something," says Drew. "I feel happy because I know that this is what I’ll be doing for the rest of my life."

For more information about applying for 2015 scholarships, visit the NRAEF website.

Congratulations to all!