TRENTON, NJ – Gunter Wilhelm®, one of the world’s leading knife manufacturers based in Fair Lawn, NJ is partnering with the New Jersey Restaurant Educational Foundation’s (NJREF) ProStart Program to invest in our youth’s future. Gunter Wilhelm® will provide a $4,000 donation, knives and knife kits to the NJ ProStart Program and become an official sponsor of the ProStart state-wide annual competition.
“I’m excited to work with NJREF to support the youth in New Jersey,” said David Malek, CEO of Gunter Wilhelm®. “For a better future to our industry and community, it’s important to support young students, teach them skills that will serve them for a lifetime, promote their talents, give back to the community and help them discover a new passion for cooking.”
Established in 1997, the NJREF is the educational arm of the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association headquartered in Trenton, NJ. ProStart is New Jersey’s only educational curriculum and program geared at high-school-aged students who show interest in pursuing a career in the restaurant or hospitality field. The annual competition is open only to NJ high school students enrolled in the ProStart Program. In 2015, more than $785,000 in college scholarships was awarded to the top 5 teams in the competition. In addition, over $10,000 in academic scholarships was awarded to ProStart Students in May 2015.
“When a company like Gunter Wilhelm® partners with our Educational Foundation, they not only support a fabulous educational program but they are also investing in New Jersey’s future,” said Marilou Halvorsen, “Many of our ProStart students are ‘at risk’ kids who have discovered a passion which becomes a skill for life, thus helps them enter an industry that really wants and needs them,” Halvorsen added.
Gunter Wilhelm® is also the official knife of the World Food Championships and was awarded the Hall of Fame Award for Specialty Products and Services from the NJRHA this year.
For more information on the NJREF and how to get involved. www.njra.org
