The Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation (HMEF) is proud to announce our 2026 Scholarship Recipients, recognizing 21 exceptional students poised to become the next generation of industry leaders. This year’s cohort represents a diverse range of talents, from culinary arts and pastry to hospitality management and food science.

These scholarships support students from high schools across Minnesota—including Elk River, Wayzata, Stillwater, and Roosevelt—as they pursue advanced degrees at institutions such as Hennepin Technical College, the Culinary Institute of America, and the University of Minnesota.

Among the honorees are four recipients of the Sue Zelickson Scholarship, awarded to young women demonstrating exceptional promise in culinary and hospitality pathways. From aspiring executive chefs to future hotel managers, these students embody the passion and dedication required to strengthen Minnesota’s hospitality workforce.

We invite you to honor these future professionals in person. Join us for the 2026 Scholarship Breakfast from 8 - 10 AM on May 5, 2026 at the Beach Club in Minneapolis, where we will celebrate their achievements and the bright future of our industry.

2026 HMEF Scholarship Recipients

• Harrison Brandt, Wayzata High School (Hennepin Technical College)
• Hien Bui, Palmview Secondary (Hennepin Technical College)
• Emalyn Byrd, Sartell High School (UNLV or UCF)
• Reeal Chetty, Elk River High School (Hennepin Technical College)
• Amelia Dieter, Elk River High School (Iowa State University)
• Hailey Hawes, Hughes High School (Hennepin Technical College)
• Jacqueline Jackson, Elk River High School (Hennepin Technical College)
• Capria Jackson-Watson, Spring Lake Park High School (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities)
• Breyden Kane, Elk River High School (Southern New Hampshire University)
• Eddi Kotubetey, Mahtomedi (University of St. Thomas)
• Maya Kraskey, Elk River High School (Culinary Institute of America)
• Lukas Larson, Roosevelt High School (Saint Paul College)
• Cole Lupien, Rockford High School (University of Central Florida)
• Taylor Steindl, Hirsch Metropolitan High School (Hennepin Technical Community College)
• Kassy Michael Tan, Elk River High School (Hennepin Technical College)
• Andrew Walsh, Stillwater Area High School (Culinary Institute of America)
• Kamika Watson, St. Paul School Barotac Nuevo (Hennepin Technical College)

2026 Sue Zelickson Scholarship Recipients

• Paige Goehner, MNIC (Hennepin Tech College)
• Natalie Gruba, John F. Kennedy High School (Normandale Community College)
• Ana Giselle Ortega Peralta, Elk River High School (Montana State University)
• Ava Tvedt, Stillwater Area High School (University of Wisconsin Stout)