Gulf Shores Student, Maria Miranda, Awarded Kirk Kirkland Scholarship

The Gulf Coast Culinary Institute’s Maria Miranda is the latest Coastal Alabama Community College student to win the Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association’s Kirk Kirkland Scholarship. The award of up to $2,000 is available to students majoring in a hospitality, culinary or food service management fields of study.

Maria — known to her friends and colleagues as “Fer” — is a graduate of Gulf Shores High School and is on pace to earn associate degrees in culinary arts and hospitality and event management. A first-generation student, Maria aspires to one day own her own restaurant, and said the scholarship will certainly help.

“I am thankful for getting this scholarship because it’s getting me one step closer to my career goals,” she said.

Maria has been studying under American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef Matt Palamara, director of the college’s Culinary Arts program, who said she’s been “an awesome addition to our Coastal family.”

“Fer was a rockstar in her high school culinary program, competing at both the state and national levels in various competitions,” Palamara said. “I am excited to see how far her path leads her.”