Home-cooked talent served national scholarship

A Maricopa resident whisked away the competition and tasted the triumph of a national culinary arts scholarship.

Kaylee Segura Provencher, a Maricopa native and Central Arizona College student, was named yesterday among recipients of the coveted U.S. Foods Scholars scholarship.

She’s one of 18 students from across the country to receive a $20,000 scholarship to help cover culinary education expenses. She was evaluated based on her academic performance, financial need and a personal essay.

Provencher was awarded the scholarship because she demonstrates “outstanding potential and achievement in the culinary arts,” U.S. Foods spokesperson Ishita Jamar said.

The U.S. Foods Scholars program aims to inspire students to reach their full potential and contribute meaningful contributions to the culinary and hospitality industries. U.S. Foods Holding Corp. is one of America’s leading foodservice distributors with $24 billion in annual revenue.

The Illinois-based food giant tapped just four students from western states and two in Arizona.

As a high school student in March, Provencher snagged the Zonta Club of Maricopa’s 2023 Young Women in Public Affairs Scholarship Award worth $1,000.

We caught up with her last month at her sous chef gig at the locally-owned Roots Eatery on John Wayne Parkway. She raved about her butternut squash ravioli topped with sautéed mushrooms, wilted spinach and an almond brown butter sauce.

Provencher is “making incredible strides toward her future culinary career,” said Dave Flitman, U.S. Foods CEO. “We are honored to support her achievements and educational goals.”

Provencher also owns her own baking business here in Maricopa, called Treats Made By Kaylee.