BUFFALO, NY - The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops Friendly Markets is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program to support Western New York-area high school seniors aspiring to have careers in the foodservice, hospitality, and culinary arts industries.

This year’s program will award three $500 scholarships on behalf of the Taste and one $1,000 scholarship in partnership with Tops, which will be awarded based on the criteria and terms described in the scholarship applications. To be eligible for any of these four scholarships, students must be residents of Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming, Genesee, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, or Allegany counties and have enrolled in a two or four-year college in an eligible degree program.

The three $500 scholarships will be awarded to students who will pursue a degree in the foodservice or hospitality industries such as chef, baking & pastry arts, travel & tourism, or hotel management. The $1,000 scholarship, awarded in partnership with Tops, is targeted towards students pursuing a degree in a culinary arts or culinary arts management discipline such as nutrition & wellness, holistic nutrition, food entrepreneurship, food retail operations, restaurant operations, food science, dietetics, food stylist, or food photography.

“We’re pleased to present a local Western New York youth with the Taste of Buffalo scholarship valued at $1,000.00,” said Ron Ferri, president, Tops Friendly Markets.  “This scholarship, which was created in recognition of Tops’ ongoing commitment to the Taste of Buffalo, allows us the unique opportunity to help pave the way for a young adult as they pursue their dreams.”

Applicants may apply for either the Taste of Buffalo scholarships or the Tops scholarship, but not both. The Taste and Tops encourage interested applicants to select the scholarship that best fits their career path.

“The Taste of Buffalo is proud to continue its commitment to Western New York youth and the growth of our thriving food service industry,” said 2024 Taste of Buffalo Chair Tom Mahoney. “We are thrilled to partner in this endeavor with our valued presenting sponsor Tops, as we look to cultivate the next generation of the food service, hospitality, and culinary arts workforce.”

For additional scholarship criteria and to download an application, click here. The application deadline is April 18. Selected recipients will be notified no later than May 5.

About Taste of Buffalo

The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is the nation’s largest two-day food festival. The 41st annual Taste of Buffalo will take place on July 13 and 14, 2024 along Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo. Named winner of USA Today’s 2023 10BEST Reader’s Choice Travel Award Contest for “Best City Food Festival,” the Taste is a not-for-profit organization with more than 1,000 volunteers helping to put on the annual event. More than $606,000 has been raised at the festival for local charities in addition to scholarships awarded annually to local high school seniors pursuing a culinary or hospitality-related degree. For more information visit tasteofbuffalo.com and find us on Facebook and Instagram.