Training the future of the hospitality industry

ProStart® is a career-building program for high school students interested in culinary arts and restaurant and foodservice management. Over an exciting two-year period, students study in the classroom, participate in mentored work experiences, and test their skills in local and national competitions. ProStart® curriculum blends together culinary and management skills and includes profiles of industry leaders to build a stronger connection between the classroom and the industry. In addition to hands on training and work experience, ProStart® students grow into the leaders our industry needs.

The National Restaurant Association Education Foundation has created new videos to celebrate the nearly 100,000 participants in its ProStart® program. Learn how ProStart brings industry and the classroom together to give students a platform to discover new interests and talents and open doors for fulfilling careers (see video).

Students put their skills to the ultimate test every spring at the State Culinary Championships, vying for a spot at the National ProStart® Invitational. This demanding culinary and management competition invites top students to represent their state, with winning teams competing for scholarships. On April 29, 2012, Oregon's state champion team from South Salem (pictured) competed in the National championship and took a celebrated 4th place!