HOUSTON—The Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair, in partnership with the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, recently awarded a record-breaking eight students with scholarships from the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair Permanent Scholarship Endowment. The 2013 recipients, all of whom attend Hilton College, include Brandon King, Sarah Rennalls, Caitlin Rochow, Christopher Schultz and Cali Smith.

“We’re delighted to be able to invest in the future of the hospitality industry by providing scholarships to these deserving students,” said Krystal Peay, director of the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair. “In the past, many recipients of this scholarship have gone on to participate in our festival as restaurant or winery representatives, and we look forward to working with this year’s recipients, as well.”

The Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair Permanent Scholarship Endowment was established at Hilton College in 2004 to assist students pursuing careers in hospitality. Recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, leadership and participation in student organizations, among other qualifications. Students residing in Fort Bend County receive priority. Since the endowment’s inception, more than 30 scholarships have been awarded.

“I want to own a restaurant one day, and this scholarship and my experience volunteering with the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair will help me reach that goal,” recipient Brandon King said. “Later on in my career, I’d love to be a part of the festival again—with my own restaurant booth!”

The Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair, a five-day festival produced by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Hilton College, attracts more than 7,000 foodies annually and is the largest and most anticipated event of its kind in the region. Hilton College has been a beneficiary of the festival since its inception in 2003, with students volunteering in various capacities at individual festival events. The 11th Annual Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair will take place April 23-27, 2014.

Contact:
Taylor Wiley
ttwiley@uh.edu 
713.743.4258