ProStart® Championships
Oregon ProStart Championships Event
The Oregon ProStart® Championships, produced by the Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF), is the capstone event for the H.S. Career and Technical Education (CTE) training program called ProStart. Each spring, ProStart students from across Oregon compete for scholarships, prizes, and a chance to advance to nationals.
2026 Championships: This year's event will be held in Salem on Monday, March 2, and is free to attend. The format involves two competitions:
- Management – Teams create and pitch a restaurant concept to industry judges, covering branding, marketing, menu, recipes, food costs, and operations.
- Culinary – Teams prepare a 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.
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.
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors:
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
LEAD SPONSOR:
CHAMPION SPONSOR:
PROSTART SCHOOL SPONSORS:
IN-KIND DONORS:
- Best Western Plus Ocean View Resort
- Culinary Institute of America
- Culinary Institute of Virginia
- Elmer's Restaurants
- Evergreen Restaurant Group LLC - Franchisee of Outback Restaurant Partners, Inc.
- Five Pine Lodge and Spa
- The Grand Hotel in Salem
- Johnson Controls Fire Protection
- Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI)
- The Overleaf Lodge
- Rivertide Suites Hotel
- Salem Convention Center
- Spirit Mountain Casino
- Sysco Portland
- US Coast Guard
HOSPITALITY SHOWCASE:
Looking to support the ProStart program? View our sponsorship opportunities or consider making a contribution.
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."
– Courtney Smith, ProStart Manager, Oregon Hospitality Foundation