History

The Hotel & Restaurant Foundation was formed in 1948 for the purpose of promoting and supporting the aspirations of the Hotel and Restaurant Department at City College of San Francisco. In 1976 its mission expanded to provide support to other hospitality programs throughout the state. Today the Foundation is one of the largest hospitality scholarship granting organizations in the country.

In 1964 The Foundation provided the corporate vehicle by which City College could legally accept a $125,000 gift from the Statler Foundation and supplemental gifts amounting to $50,000 from northern California hotel and restaurant owners and City College alumni. As a result, the Ellsworth M. Statler Wing of Smith Hall was completed, featuring
classrooms, cooking laboratories, library, and a faculty dining room
for work experience.

The Foundation also acted as the fiscal agent to receive a Ford Foundation grant given for Project FEAST (Food Education and Service Technology), a training and recruiting program for high school.

The Foundation exists today in large part due to the vision, leadership and financial support of John and Hilda Gifford. John Gifford was the founding director of the City College hotel and restaurant department in 1935. Hilda Watson Gifford, director of the hotel and restaurant department from 1935 to 1954, founded Project FEAST. The highest award given by the Foundation is named in her honor.

The Foundation endeavors to identify and reward the future leaders
of the hospitality industry.