SAN FRANCISCO (July 1, 2010) –The Hotel & Restaurant Foundation announces its annual fundraiser and awards ceremony taking place at the four-diamond W San Francisco, CA on October 7, 2010.  The event will kick-off with a Career Mixer beginning at 4:30 p.m. followed by the fundraiser and awards ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Established more than 60 years ago, HARF exists to raise funds within the hospitality industry to promote and support hospitality management and culinary arts education for future industry leaders, through scholarship grants.  The event will include a host of Who’s Who of the hospitality industry as well as a career fair, networking session, organic cocktail and dinner reception, and awards ceremony honoring those students who have received scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year. 

Last year students from City College of San Francisco, University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, Cal Poly Pomona and San Diego State University were awarded close to $200,000 in scholarship grants, all based on merit.  HARF Board President Michael Pace, General Manager of the W San Francisco and a sought-after speaker on green business practices, states, “We feel that HARF is raising its profile as an extremely prestigious program which attracts the highest caliber of students applying for scholarships.  We want to continue to nurture and support the future leaders of the culinary and hospitality industries.”

New programs this year include a social networking presence on Facebook and Twitter as well as an invigorated website for the program. The key culinary and hospitality management schools have also named champions from past award recipients to help promote the program on campuses and to demonstrate through example, their excellence and commitment to the field.

About HARF

Originally founded in 1948 by the City College of San Francisco Hotel and Restaurant Department, the Foundation grew over the years to provide support to other college hospitality and culinary arts programs in California, and was chartered as a non-profit corporate entity.  HARF exists today as one of the largest independent hospitality scholarship organizations in large part due to the vision, leadership and financial support of John and Hilda Gifford.  John Gifford was the founding director of the City College Hotel and Restaurant Department and Hilda was the Director of the Hotel and Restaurant Department from 1935 to 1954.  The highest award given every year by the Foundation is named in honor of Hilda Watson Gifford, acknowledging her contributions to the industry.  In the last five years, HARF has awarded more than $800,000 in scholarship grants.  The panel of people choosing recipients is comprised of hospitality industry leaders and students are evaluated for their leadership potential among other criteria.

For a full history and further background information, please visit: www.hospitalityscholarships.com.  For ticket information, reservations and further information about the event on October 6th, please contact John Love at (415) 999-7433.  Tickets are $85 per person and $25 of the ticket price will go towards the scholarship effort.

About W San Francisco

Located in the heart of the SoMA district, W San Francisco is the ultimate urban oasis with panoramic views of the city’s skyline and a breathtaking view of the Bay Bridge.  W Francisco was recently awarded silver LEED certification, and The San Francisco Business Times’ “Best Green Practices – Small” award for its leadership and innovation in the area of sustainability and green practices.