February 1, 2023, BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program to support Western New York-area high school seniors aspiring to careers in the Foodservice and Hospitality industries. This year’s program will award four recipients with a $1,000 scholarship to be applied toward room and board, books, or fees.

New this year, a $1000 scholarship presented by Tops Friendly Markets, in partnership with the Taste, will be made available to one local student pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts or Culinary Arts Management including programs such as Nutrition and Wellness, Holistic Nutrition, Food Entrepreneurship, Food Retail Operations, Restaurant Operations, Food Science, Dietetics, Food Stylist, Food Photography, etc. Students may apply for either the Taste of Buffalo scholarship or the Tops scholarship, depending on their area of study.

“Tops was humbled to learn that one of the five $1,000 scholarships being presented this year by the Taste of Buffalo is being named in our honor,” said John Persons, president of Tops Friendly Markets. “As a longstanding sponsor of this event, we are privileged to partner with the Taste of Buffalo on this time-honored Western New York tradition and will continue to stand by our commitment to the community for years to come.”

“We are honored to have Tops Markets join us in offering a new scholarship this year,” said 2023 Taste of Buffalo Chair Elizabeth Mamot. “Tops has been our valued partner for nearly four decades. This is a wonderful addition to our 40^th birthday celebrations and a great way to support the next generation of culinary arts professionals in our region.”

To be eligible for any of these five 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. For additional scholarship criteria and to download an application, click here. The application deadline is Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Selected recipients will be notified no later than May 5.