Texas Restaurant Foundation, GHTRA Establish Memorial Scholarship Honoring Thy Mai, Maya and Max

Texas Restaurant Foundation, GHTRA Establish Memorial Scholarship Honoring Thy Mai, Maya and Max

AUSTIN, TX (May 13, 2026) -The Texas Restaurant Foundation and the Greater Houston Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association have established the Thy Mai, Maya & Max Memorial Hospitality Scholarship, an endowed fund created to honor the lives and legacy of restaurateur and community leader Thy Mai, and her children, Maya and Max, by supporting the next generation of hospitality professionals.

A respected restaurateur, mentor, mother and community leader, Thy was known for her unwavering commitment to uplifting others and strengthening Houston's hospitality industry. As a member of the Greater Houston Texas Restaurant Association Board and the 2025 GHTRA Restaurateur of the Year, she led with authenticity, generosity and compassion-leaving a lasting impact on all who knew her.

"Thy defined what it means to truly care for people - she led with generosity, lifted others up and made everyone feel seen and valued," Emily Williams Knight Ed.D., president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, said. "This scholarship is a way to carry that spirit forward, opening doors for future leaders who will shape the hospitality industry with the same heart and purpose she brought to it every day."

The Thy Mai, Maya & Max Memorial Hospitality Scholarship will provide financial assistance to students in the Greater Houston area as well as throughout the State of Texas pursuing careers in:

• Culinary arts
• Restaurant and hospitality management
• Foodservice operations
• Hospitality leadership and entrepreneurship

  
  

The scholarship will support a wide range of students, including graduating ProStart culinary students, first-time college students, current hospitality students and individuals already working in the industry who are continuing their education and professional development.

In addition to academic achievement, recipients will reflect the qualities Thy exemplified throughout her life: leadership, kindness, service, community involvement and a deep commitment to caring for others.

"Thy's impact extended far beyond her professional accomplishments as she made people feel valued, supported and seen," Mike Shine, executive director of the TRA Greater Houston Chapter, said. "Through this scholarship, her legacy will continue to open doors and create opportunities for future leaders in our industry."

As an endowed scholarship fund, contributions will be professionally invested to support long-term growth, creating sustainable scholarship opportunities for aspiring hospitality and culinary professionals for years to come.

"Thy's kindness, generosity and genuine care for others left a mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her," Alli Jarrett, owner of Harold's Restaurant & Tap Room, said. "She was the kind of leader who made Houston's restaurant community feel like family. This scholarship is a beautiful way to honor Thy, Maya and Max by investing in the future hospitality leaders who will carry that same spirit of service and community forward."

Contributions to the Thy Mai, Maya & Max Memorial Hospitality Scholarship Fund through the Texas Restaurant Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

To make a gift by check, please make checks payable to the Texas Restaurant Foundation and mail to:
Thy Mai, Maya & Max Memorial Hospitality Scholarship
c/o Texas Restaurant Foundation
512 East Riverside Drive, Suite 250
Austin, TX 78704

To discuss a larger contribution, please contact Heather Pickett, Executive Director of the Texas Restaurant Foundation, at [email protected].

ABOUT THE TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association serves as the advocate and indispensable resource for the foodservice industry in Texas. As a leading business association, the TRA represents the state's $138 billion restaurant industry, which encompasses more than 57,000 locations and a workforce of over 1.4 million employees. Along with the Texas Restaurant Foundation, the workforce development arm of the TRA, the association proudly continues to protect, advance, and educate a growing industry as the TRA enters its 88th year. For more information, please visit www.txrestaurant.org.

ABOUT THE TEXAS RESTAURANT FOUNDATION
Founded in 1995 as the charitable arm of the Texas Restaurant Association, the Texas Restaurant Foundation (TRF) is dedicated to building and strengthening the future of the restaurant industry through education, workforce development, and scholarships. TRF oversees Texas ProStart, a premier culinary and restaurant management training program reaching over 34,000 high school students in 260+ schools statewide. The foundation also leads industry-driven initiatives such as the TX Restaurant Relief Fund, which has provided millions in crisis support, and innovative workforce development programs that connect businesses with trained, job-ready talent. These include Second Chances, which helps justice-involved individuals reenter the workforce, and specialized training initiatives designed to meet the evolving needs of the industry. Since its founding, TRF has awarded over $3 million in scholarships to aspiring culinary and hospitality professionals.