The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 2015 … Benchmark Hospitality International® has announced the recipient of the Bob Zappatelli Culinary Arts Scholarship. The winner is Alexis Panetta, a student at Johnson & Wales.

The scholarship, launched in 2009 in partnership with the James Beard Foundation in New York City, celebrates the life and legacy of Benchmark Hospitality’s first vice president food & beverage, the late Bob Zappatelli. The annual scholarship serves as a memorial to Mr. Zappatelli’s enthusiasm for the advancement of the culinary arts, and his championing of new culinary talent. Applications for the 2015 Bob Zappatelli Culinary Arts Scholarship are currently open.

“We are absolutely delighted that Alexis has been selected to receive the scholarship, which Benchmark established in memory of our dear friend and colleague, Bob Zappatelli,” said Tom Garcia, vice president food & beverage. “We honor Bob in our endeavor to provide educational support to individuals who exhibit a passion for learning and creating excellence in food & beverage experiences. Alexis is the embodiment of this and we congratulate her!”

“I am so grateful for the generous Bob Zappatelli scholarship that I have been awarded,” said Alexis Panetta. “It has been applied to my tuition at Johnson & Wales, and I am grateful for the financial assistance. To know that this scholarship honors a culinary great like Mr. Zappatelli makes this even more meaningful.”

Culinary students in the United States and around the globe can apply online through the James Beard Foundation website for consideration for the 2015 Bob Zappatelli Culinary Arts Scholarship. The Bob Zappatelli Culinary Arts Scholarship application can be accessed online at: http://sms.scholarshipamerica.org/jamesbeard or http://sms.scholarshipamerica.org/jamesbeard/friends.pdf. The application process is open through May 15, 2015.