USA: OrderSmart.com gives back to the food community as Grand Patron of the California Restaurant Association’s Pineapple Awards

The second annual Pineapple Awards were given by the California Restaurant Association (CRA) at the August Foodservice Expo in San Francisco. OrderSmart(TM), the integrated supply management system used by more than 50 Bay Area restaurants, was the Grand Patron of the 2000 awards. The pineapple is the international symbol of hospitality, and the Pineapple Awards were conceived to recognize participants, both students and mentors, from CRA's scholarship and ProStart programs. The awards ceremony, attended by over 200 people, honored Dustin Joseph with the Future Promise Award; Sandi Coulter with the Inspirational Leader Award; and Pete Harmon with the Mentor of the Year Award. Jon Cronander, CEO of Restaurant Efficiencies, Inc., the parent company of OrderSmart, was enthusiastic about the chance to give back to the community. "We are excited to invest in the future chefs of America and give opportunities to those who might otherwise be unable to achieve their personal goals. We think OrderSmart will change the future of the restaurant industry by giving the young people starting careers in the restaurant industry the new tools needed to properly operate a business. With the growing number of people turning toward the hospitality careers, the industry has a great future." The CRA awards grants and scholarships to young Californians who wish to pursue a post-secondary education in the foodservice and hospitality industry. Recipients are chosen on the basis of scholastic achievement, creativity, enthusiasm, and potential future after graduation. Student scholarships are awarded in amounts ranging from $500 to $1,500. More than $33,000 in scholarships were awarded to 33 graduating high school seniors and continuing post-secondary students enrolled in culinary arts programs.