On Tuesday, June 14, 2016, The Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA) hosted its 14th annual MRAEF Making the Future Bright Scholarship Awards Gala. The gala recognized over 40 Massachusetts students who are future stars of the hospitality industry and awarded them with $100,000 in well-deserved scholarships to further their education. The evening was held at held at Danversport Yacht Club and hosted by Billy Costa of NESN’s “Dining Playbook” and KISS 108FM. Many of New England’s most prominent restauranteurs and industry insiders were donors and in attendance including former MRAEF student Chris Coombs, Joe Piantedosi of Piantedosi Baking Company, Manny Costa of Costa Fruit & Produce, Bobby Wong of Kowloon, Donato Frattaroli of Il Molo Boston and current Chair of MRA Board of Directors, Denise Herrera of Burtons Grill, Patrick Renna of Wahlburgers, Rico DiFronzo of Union Oyster House, Raphael Oliver of The Top of the Hub and Jim & Kathi Turner of Turner Seafood.