Pepsi’s Project Taste Test Shares Top Tips from Marriott International

Washington, DC, Sept. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), in partnership with PepsiCo Foodservice, is proud to release its sixth Project Taste Test “Servin’ Up Successful Careers” video – an educational series dedicated to passing on advice from the best in the business and showcasing the limitless opportunities in restaurants, foodservice and hospitality. 

Marriott experts share their personal guidance on how to develop a successful career in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry.

This year’s Project Taste Test features three highly successful executives from Marriott International, Inc. the world’s largest lodging company with more than 6,000 hotels. Elaine Richard, a 33-year hospitality veteran and Marriott Area Vice President; Matthew Von Ertfelda, Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage Global Operations; and Aaron Wright, General Manager at the Bethesda Marriott in Bethesda, Maryland.

Pepsi’s Project Taste Test is produced exclusively for ProStart, one of the nation’s most successful high school culinary arts and restaurant management programs represented by 1,800 schools and nearly 140,000 students.  Each Marriott executive talks about their individual career paths and what someone just starting out in restaurants, foodservice and hospitality needs to know to be successful and to become a future leader. Top tips include:

1. Taking on new assignments to separate yourself from the pack
2. Fail your way forward.  Don’t be afraid to take risks
3. Stay focused on your craft and become and expert
4. Explore and learn something from everything you do
5. Look for ways to develop your leadership skills and collaborate with those around you

“We are excited to partner with Pepsi and feature the industry’s top talent and their secrets to building a rewarding career,” said Rob Gifford, Executive Vice President, NRAEF. “Pepsi and Marriott are strong supporters of our Foundation and both are recognized global leaders in developing people and creating opportunity. Our goal is to show our ProStart students that with hard work, passion and some guidance along the way, the possibilities are endless.”

Click here to watch Pepsi’s Project Taste Test. For more information on the ProStart program, visit ChooseRestaurants.org/prostart or find us on Twitter or Facebook.

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About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation:  As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s mission of service to the public is dedicated to enhancing the industry’s training and education, career development and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to Attract, Empower and Advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice workforce. NRAEF programs include: ProStart® – a high-school career and technical education program; Restaurant Ready – partnering with community based organizations to provide “opportunity youth” with skills training and job opportunities; Military – helping military servicemen and women transition their skills to restaurant and foodservice careers; Scholarships – financial assistance for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice and hospitality degrees; and, the Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship project – a partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association providing a hospitality apprenticeship program for the industry. For more information on the NRAEF, visit ChooseRestaurants.org.

About PepsiCo: PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated approximately $63 billion in net revenue in 2016, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our fundamental belief that the success of our company is inextricably linked to the sustainability of the world around us. We believe that continuously improving the products we sell, operating responsibly to protect our planet and empowering people around the world is what enables PepsiCo to run a successful global company that creates long-term value for society and our shareholders. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

About Marriott International, Inc.: Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,200 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 125 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/14bbf468-737f-4597-bf3a-3c07556f705f

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/44169995-18ae-4e75-a5d7-edc4994118f7

Jasmine Jones, Communications Manager
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
202-315-4101
jajones@nraef.org