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ProStart® Championships

Oregon ProStart Championships Event

The Oregon ProStart® Championships, presented by the Oregon Hospitality Foundation, is the capstone event for the H.S. Career and Technical Education (CTE) training program called ProStart. Each spring, high school ProStart students from across Oregon compete for scholarships, prizes, and a chance to advance to nationals.

SAVE THE DATE: The Oregon ProStart® Championships will be held in Salem on March 2, 2026, and is a free event to attend. Industry members are encouraged to volunteer or serve as a judge; learn more.

EVENT FORMAT: ProStart students from around the state face off in two events:

  • Management Competition – Teams create and pitch a restaurant concept to industry judges, covering branding, marketing, menu, recipes, food costs, and operations.
  • Culinary Competition – Teams of 4 prepare a unique 3-course meal in 60 minutes using only two butane burners. Judging focuses on technique, safety, teamwork, taste, and presentation.

First-place winners from this statewide event will get to participate in the National ProStart Invitational® in Baltimore, MD, April 24-26, 2026.

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Showcase Your Brand & Connect With Students

Join the Hospitality Showcase to connect with Oregon’s future hospitality workforce. Share career opportunities, build relationships with educators and families, and meet talented young chefs. A vendor table provides high-visibility, in-person engagement while positioning your organization as a leader in workforce development and Oregon’s visitor economy.

Register for the Hospitality Showcase

Congratulations 2025 Winners!

Culinary Competition:

  • 1st Place: Crook County High School (see photos)
  • 2nd Place: Salem CTEC High School
  • 3rd Place: Dayton High School

Management Competition:

  • 1st Place: Salem CTEC (see photos)
  • 2nd Place: Crescent Valley High School
  • 3rd Place: South Salem High School​ ​

Additional Awards Presented:

  • Teacher of the Year: Krista Carpino, Dayton HS
  • Mentor of the Year: Wendy Bennett, Salem CTEC
  • Student of the Year: Tayah Hagensee, Crook County HS​

Read press release

View All Event Photos

Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors:

PRESENTING SPONSOR:​

CHAMPION SPONSOR:

PROSTART SCHOOL SPONSORS:

IN-KIND DONORS:

Looking to support the ProStart program in 2026? View our sponsorship opportunities.

Empowering Students Through ProStart

"ProStart students learn skills - such as teamwork, communication, and decision making - that are important to success in any career they choose to pursue. They also gain a tremendous amount of self-confidence. This event is their capstone project, and it is as exciting to watch as any sports tournament."
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– Courtney Smith, ProStart Manager, Oregon Hospitality Foundation