Chef Eric Koyama made a lasting impact at King’s Hawaiian as one of the first chefs in innovation and was instrumental in new product development. He designed the King’s Hawaiian test kitchens and built out their first innovation process. Always willing to share and lend a hand to others, Chef Eric was most enthusiastic about helping to develop the next generation of chefs and took time out of his busy schedule to speak at culinary schools across the country.
Chef Eric leaves a legacy of generosity, hard work and undeniable passion that lives on through this generous scholarship sponsored by King’s Hawaiian for students enrolled in RCA-approved Culinology degree programs at Kapiolani Community College and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His legacy of continued education and vision of developing the next generation continues by helping students attend the 2026 Research Chefs Association Annual Conference and Culinology Expo in Westminster, Colorado. At the conference, students will experience enriching breakout sessions and keynote speakers while creating strong networks with other students and leaders in the industry.
Chef Eric leaves a legacy of generosity, hard work and undeniable passion that lives on through this generous scholarship sponsored by King’s Hawaiian for students enrolled in RCA-approved Culinology degree programs at Kapiolani Community College and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His legacy of continued education and vision of developing the next generation continues by helping students attend the 2026 Research Chefs Association Annual Conference and Culinology Expo in Westminster, Colorado. At the conference, students will experience enriching breakout sessions and keynote speakers while creating strong networks with other students and leaders in the industry.
Eligibility Details
- Students must be enrolled at Kapiolani Community College and/or the University of Hawaii at Manoa pursuing Culinology, Food Science, or Food Product Development.
- Candidates must be RCA members to apply. Student Membership is $35 annually.
Short Answer/Essay Questions
Page two of this application contains six short answer/essay questions. All questions are required, and should be answered in 250 words or less. You may start this application and return to it at a later date.
What Scholarship Winners will Receive
Winners of the 2026 Chef Eric Koyama Student Scholarship will receive a scholarship in the form of a reimbursable stipend of up to $3,000 to attend the 2026 Research Chefs Association Annual Conference and Culinology Expo in Westminster, Colo., March 10-12, 2026.
Expenses eligible for reimbursement include the following:
Page two of this application contains six short answer/essay questions. All questions are required, and should be answered in 250 words or less. You may start this application and return to it at a later date.
What Scholarship Winners will Receive
Winners of the 2026 Chef Eric Koyama Student Scholarship will receive a scholarship in the form of a reimbursable stipend of up to $3,000 to attend the 2026 Research Chefs Association Annual Conference and Culinology Expo in Westminster, Colo., March 10-12, 2026.
Expenses eligible for reimbursement include the following:
- RCA conference registration ($170 student rate)
- Round trip airfare to and from Denver International Airport
- Transportation to and from the Denver airport and conference hotel (Uber, Taxi, Lyft)
- Lodging at the Westin Westminster Hotel (approx. 3 days, 4 nights)
- Meals (approx. 2 lunches and 2 dinners; other meals are provided as part of conference registration)
Timeline:
Deadline to Apply: Friday, Jan. 16, 2026
Applicants Notified: Friday, Jan. 23, 2026
Deadline to Apply: Friday, Jan. 16, 2026
Applicants Notified: Friday, Jan. 23, 2026
RCA Annual Conference & Culinology Expo: March 10-12, 2026
About the Culinology Scholarship Foundation
This scholarship is administered by the Culinology Scholarship Foundation (CSF). CSF is the charitable and educational arm of the Research Chefs Association. The foundation’s mission is to provide scholarships and educational opportunities for individuals pursuing careers in Culinology, culinary arts, and food science. Our work is funded through donations from generous supporters of the CSF mission.