“This year, we’re not only honoring one of our earliest scholarship recipients, Martha Morales, but we’re also celebrating so many alumni who have returned to support.”
The Hospitality Charitable Foundation will host its annual MENUS (Mentoring and Educating Nevada’s Upcoming Students) gala on Friday, Oct. 2, at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa.
Celebrating the organization’s 25th anniversary, the event will bring together Southern Nevada’s hospitality community for an evening of cuisine, beverages and entertainment in support of the next generation of industry leaders.
This year’s gala, “Reflections: 25 Years of Impact,” will honor Martha Morales, one of HCF’s earliest scholarship recipients whose career exemplifies the foundation’s mission.
Awarded an HCF scholarship in 2005, Morales went on to build a career with Caesars Entertainment and Boyd Gaming before becoming vice president and general manager of Valley Forge Casino Resort in Pennsylvania.
She was the first HCF scholarship alumna to join the foundation’s board of directors and continues to support the organization as an honorary board member.
“As we celebrate 25 years of HCF, it’s incredibly rewarding to see our mission come full circle,” said Michael Kennedy, HCF president and director of food operations at South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa.
“This year, we’re not only honoring one of our earliest scholarship recipients, Martha Morales, but we’re also celebrating so many alumni who have returned to support the foundation as sponsors, business owners, volunteers, board members and industry leaders.
Martha’s remarkable career, alongside the many alumni giving back through this year’s gala, reflects the lasting impact of education, mentorship and opportunity. We are incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished and grateful that they continue to inspire the next generation of hospitality leaders.”
The spirit of that full-circle journey will be reflected throughout this year’s gala, where HCF alumni will play key roles in bringing the event to life. Beyond attending as guests, former scholarship recipients will be recognized, sponsor the event, showcase their own businesses, serve on the foundation’s board and support event operations behind the scenes.
Participating alumni include Morales; Razelle Antipuesto, who will showcase her own booth, Sisters Menu; Jaslin Estavillo and Bettina Bautista, whose employer, Aristocrat, is sponsoring the event; Cami Keenan, who is leading décor efforts through MGM Resorts Event Productions; Ivette Aguirre of Buzz Event Designers, whose team also includes alumna Diana Loaiza and current HCF scholar Camila Rodriguez-Pineda; HCF board member Vildan Buric; and Daniela Sanchez, a member of the Red Rock Resort catering team.
One of Las Vegas’ premier culinary events, MENUS will transform Red Rock Resort pool into an immersive dine-around experience featuring gourmet tastings, curated cocktails, premium wine and spirits and live entertainment. Guests are encouraged to embrace the evening’s ”Glam, Sparkle & Shine” attire theme with looks inspired by silver, gold and purple.
A full lineup of participating restaurants, chefs, bars and beverage partners will be announced in the coming weeks.
“There is something incredibly special about looking around this year’s event and seeing former scholarship recipients giving back in so many different ways,” said Melissa Arias, HCF executive director.
“Whether they’re being honored, sponsoring the event, volunteering behind the scenes or serving on our board, these alumni represent everything HCF hopes to achieve. Their success stories are a testament to what can happen when students are given opportunity, mentorship and a community that believes in them.”
HCF has spent the past 25 years providing scholarships, mentorship and career development to students in hospitality. Today the foundation’s scholarship program provides full-ride, last-dollar scholarships, executive mentorship, professional development, networking opportunities and hands-on industry experience.
Unique to the event, HCF scholarship recipients also play an integral role in MENUS, assisting with key event-day responsibilities while gaining valuable real-world experience and building relationships with many of the industry’s most influential leaders.
Sponsors of the event include Southern Glazer’s Beverage Co., Breakthru Beverage, Gallo, Johnson Brothers, Sahara Las Vegas, Sysco, Cellar Craft Distributors, Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International and MGMRI Event Production, among many other community partners.
Proceeds from MENUS support HCF’s mission of providing scholarships, mentorship and hands-on career development opportunities for students pursuing hospitality careers. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at hcflv.org.
