The Bob Zappatelli Culinary Arts Scholarship

Benchmark Hospitality International is delighted to announce the establishment of an annual scholarship program in Bob Zappatelli’s memory. It is the perfect living memorial to honor Bob’s passion and the commitment he had to the education and mentoring of talented culinarians in every interaction he had and with every friend that he made in the world of hospitality.

We are partnering with the James Beard Foundation, an organization that is focused on excellence in culinary arts as Bob was. The Foundation has a Scholarship Program as one of its educational pillars, essential to the fulfillment of its mission “to celebrate, preserve, and nurture America’s culinary heritage and diversity in order to elevate the appreciation of our culinary excellence.” Bob’s Scholarship Fund will be added to the catalogue of culinary scholarships the Foundation currently administers.

The James Beard Foundation will work with Benchmark Hospitality to develop specific criteria for the selection of candidates. The Scholarship will be included with all others offered by the Foundation in its Annual Website listing, and the recipient selection process will be administered by the Scholarship Management Services division of Scholarship America, a well-respected nonprofit organization that has helped award scholarships to over one million students.

Many people have asked and Bob’s family welcomes your donations to this Scholarship in Bob’s honor.

Here is the pertinent information:

1)Donations to the newly created Fund should be made payable to: The James Beard Foundation, with "Bob Zappatelli Culinary Arts Scholarship" written on the Memo line, and sent to:

The James Beard Foundation

Attn: Marilyn Platzer, CFO

167 West 12th Street

New York, NY 10011

Credit card donations can also be made by calling: 212-675-4984, ask for Special Giving.

2)Since the Foundation is a 501c-3 not-for-profit charitable organization, they will send out acknowledgment of donations to all donors for their records.

3)A scholarship will be awarded annually from the principal accumulated in the Fund.

Please pass on this information to others that may be interested.

Thank you for your donation in remembrance of our wonderful friend.