Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

For good. For ever.

306 South University Avenue Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858 United States

(989) 773-7322

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come, by attracting and holding permanent endowed funds from a wide range of donors, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

J. Gavin Bradley Culinary/Hospitality Scholarship Fund

Gavin with family

J. Gavin Bradley began a love affair with food and cooking as a child. His passion for the craft made him a perfectionist when it came to cooking. The smells, flavors, and feeling you receive after having a delicious meal left him with a sense of purpose. At just 19 years old, Gavin traveled to Paris where he began his culinary education. Subsequently, he obtained the Grand Diploma at Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney Australia. After becoming an expert in culinary technique, he founded a food blog to share the exquisite meals he prepared for friends and family. During culinary school, Gavin met his wife Soo and they married shortly after graduating. Soo was from Korea and often traveled with Gavin. She now works as a Head Pastry Chef at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort.

Gavin was often described as “absolutely fearless” and it showed in his everyday life. His love of adventure led him to receive scuba certification as a master diver. He had extensive adventures motorcycling across Australia. His passion for cooking and love of adventure collided when he traveled to Costa Rica for a year to develop his skills in cooking and preparing seafood. Not only was Gavin adventurous with travel, he was also adventurous with his cooking.

Gavin deep sea fishing

 Following many years of transcontinental traveling, Gavin moved back to the U.S. where he lived in Seattle and Bellingham, Washington. Surrounded by the breathtaking lakes, rivers, and forests of Washington, Gavin was able to continue to fine-tune his fishing, hunting, and cooking skills. To grow his skills in all fields of culinary technique, he worked as a chocolatier. Eventually, he became a master at the craft and won an award for making a Louis Vuitton bag out of chocolate. Most recently, Gavin’s love to travel brought him on new adventures to Cambodia, Thailand, and Korea, widening his knowledge of Asian cuisine and appreciation for the local culture.

From a young age, it was clear that Gavin’s life would be filled with a consuming love of the pursuit of knowledge, travel, and adventure. Gavin’s family hopes that the J. Gavin Bradley Culinary/Hospitality Scholarship Fund will provide help to encourage others to pursue their goals.

Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:

  • Student shall be graduating from a high school located in Isabella, Midland,or Saginaw County or shall be a current college student who previously graduated from a high school in Isabella, Midland, or Saginaw County.

  • Student shall be planning to enroll or is currently enrolled at an accredited college, university, or culinary or hospitality school.

  • Student shall be planning to pursue a culinary/hospitality career.

Scholarship Preferences:

In selecting the most qualified applicant to receive the scholarship, reviewers will give preference to the following, listed in priority order:

  • Student has demonstrated financial need.