SPONSORED BY:
Florida HTM Competition
CONGRATULATIONS to the 22 HTM programs signed up to compete in the 2027 HTM Competition! As you know, the HTM Competition will take place March 3-4, 2027, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando. Tentatively the Knowledge Bowl Competition will begin at 1 PM on Wednesday, March 3. There will be a short break after the Knowledge Bowl which will be followed by the Night Audit and Hospitality Project Preparation. Thursday teams will compete in Food & Beverage Case Study, Guest Services Case Study and Hospitality Project Presentation. The Awards Dinner will take place Thursday night after all competitions are complete. The FRLAEF will cover hotel cost for Wednesday and Thursday, since the awards will end later on Thursday night. The FRLAEF will also cover most meals.
Florida Rule 6A.6.0576 CAPE Industry Certification Funding
Regarding Florida Rule 6A.6.0576 CAPE Industry Certification Funding list item 8 regarding web lockdown browsers. The National Restaurant Association Solutions, LLC ServSafe Manager Exam can be administered using the web lockdown browsers that may already be in place at schools, school districts, or counties. The following are some web lockdown browsers recommended for schools that do not have their own web lockdown browser in place.
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) team is reviewing options to provide safe and secure exam environments for schools and students to administer the ServSafe Manager exam, including additional Web Lockdown browser options. NRAEF will keep us apprised of these developments and options moving forward to maintain a high level of secure exam testing for schools and students.
For additional questions and support, please reach out to:
Liz McGinnins, Sales Manager, Academic K-12 E 312-579-3825 or lmcginnis@restaurant.org
Lauren Robin, Senior Manager K12 Academics 312-627-2424 or lrobin@restaurant.org
Please keep in mind the pen and paper scantrons are always available as the web lockdown browser rule does not apply.
Mini Grants
The FRLAEF Board met October 20, 2026, to award Mini Grants. Laura Rumer emailed all applicants that afternoon with your award information. The email included instructions on how to purchase your item(s). If your item(s) were not approved then the board set aside funds and the email included details on how to purchase other items you need. If you have not seen your email, please contact Laura at laura@frla.org.
Fresh from Florida – Sea-sonal Recipes From Florida Waters
Fresh, locally harvested Florida seafood is one of the best ways to bring flavor, nutrition and coastal tradition to the table. Whether you are hosting fall gatherings, developing a recipe to share with guests, planning weekend cookouts, or gearing up for tailgate season, Florida seafood delivers unmatched freshness and quality all year long.
Florida is home to an incredible variety of seafood, including shrimp, oysters, clams, grouper, mackerels, tunas, stone crab, lobsters and more. Stone crab season started October 15, making all the perfect time to enjoy one of Florida’s most iconic seafoods. Most of Florida’s seafood is harvested wild from our coastal waters, and Florida also leads the way in farm raised oysters and clams, which are available year-round. Choosing Florida seafood means choosing freshness. Florida seafood is naturally rich in omega three fatty acids, lean protein, vitamins, and minerals, making it a wholesome option for families looking to eat well.
It is a great time to celebrate Florida seafood with fresh, flavorful dishes like our Florida Spiny Lobster Skewers, Florida Stone Crab Claws with Key Lime Mustard Dipping Sauce and our Florida Group Fajitas. Perfect for tailgates, grilling, weeknight meals, or fall gatherings, these recipes make it easy to enjoy Florida’s coastal bounty.
When you choose Florida seafood, you are supporting fishing familiar, local communities and Florida’s coastal economy while bringing home food that is truly fresh. Look for the Fresh From Florida logo when shopping for seafood, and ask for Florida seafood at restaurants, retailers and grocery stores across the state. Find more recipes, preparation tips and seasonal inspiration at FreshFromFlorida.com.
HTM Facebook Group
Join the Florida HTM FB page to share resources, ask questions, etc. CLICK HERE and then request to be added.
Hospitality Industry Internships
The Hospitality Industry Internship (HII) provides the opportunity for Florida HTM instructors to work in a foodservice/lodging establishment for at least 40 hours. Once the required paperwork has been processed, the participant will receive a personal check for $800.
To qualify for an HII, the instructor must teach the HTM curriculum during the 2026-2027 school year. If you are already employed at a restaurant or hotel, you MAY NOT use that site for your internship. The restaurant/hotel must be a new work experience for you, not somewhere you have worked before or used as an HII internship location.
The applicant must secure a position at a foodservice or lodging facility where a minimum of 40 hours of hands-on experience is guaranteed. The host location may pay the recipient but is not required to do so.
The FRLAEF will award 9 HII’s this school year on a first-come, first-served basis. So apply NOW! Work experience may begin once the applicant receives an award notification from the FRLAEF.
Scholarships
The FRLAEF will award at least $65,000 in scholarships during the 2026-2027 school year. Each scholarship awarded will be in the amount of $2,000 and will be a one-time, non-renewable scholarship.
To be eligible for this scholarship the applicant must:
Be enrolled in a ProStart program in a Florida secondary school
Be a graduating senior who will begin post-secondary education in 2026
Be entering a culinary or hospitality post-secondary program
Return a copy of their OFFICIAL high school transcript to FRLAEF by application deadline
APPLICATION TIMELINE The FRLAEF Scholarship application will become available in January NewsBites. The application deadline is April 10, 2027.
HTM Teacher Training
The 6th annual HTM Summer Training will take place during July of 2027. It is anticipated the training will be held in Orlando, but more details will follow as they are finalized.
PROGRAM COST
The FRLAEF will cover the cost of all Florida HTM instructors who have purchased and are using the Hospitality & Tourism Management curriculum during the 2027-2028 school year. Attendees will be responsible for their travel and some meals.
REGISTRATION
Online registration will begin March NewsBites.