*2020 Competition placeholder text*

Pennsylvania ProStart Student Invitational

ProStart® is a nationwide program for high school students that develops their talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice industry leaders. PRLA and our Educational Foundation annually host a competition for Pennsylvania ProStart students to showcase their culinary talents and creativity. 

How does the competition work?

The Pennsylvania ProStart Student Invitational (PAPSI) is composed of two distinct competitions—management and culinary—that showcase the most important skills needed on either side of the restaurant and foodservice industry. 

MANAGEMENT
The management teams develop a proposal for the next promising restaurant concept and present it to a panel of industry judges. Next, their problem solving skills are tested as they quickly solve challenges faced by managers daily.

CULINARY
The culinary competition highlights each team's creative abilities through the preparation of a three-course meal in 60 minutes, using only two butane burners, and without access to running water or electricity. Teams are evaluated on taste, skill, teamwork, safety, and sanitation.

2020 Competition Results

CULINARY
1st Place — Milton Hershey School
Students: 
Olivia Adedeji
Anthony Guzman
Milton Hernandez
Russell Morse
Brian Somers (team manager)
Instructors: Samantha Katzaman & Brad Jennings

2nd Place — Indiana County Technology Center
Students:
Samantha Blystone
Haley Clark
April Elder
Clarissa Gallo
Instructor: Jonathan Nagy
Instructor Assistant: Vickie Leatherwood

3rd Place — Northumberland County CTC
Students:
Oceana Apollo
Mackenzie Roman
Aubrey Schultz
Aurora Skeans
Instructor: Jim Schiavoni

MANAGEMENT
1st Place — Central Westmoreland CTC
Students:
Kelly Gillis
Kassandra Miller
Instructor: Christie Parks

2nd Place — Crawford County CTC
Students:
Kelsie Huya
Jordan Linz
Melanie McDonald
Mackenzie Tatters
Casilla Joliet (team manager)
Instructor: Tim Brown

3rd Place — Monroe Career & Technical Institute
Students:
Yocelin Bello-Gonzalez
Samantha Nottle
Faith Worden
Brendan Yip
Instructor: Samantha Armstrong
Mentor: Chef Doug Petruzzi

Competition Rewards

Students are vying for the chance to represent Pennsylvania at the National ProStart Student Invitational—the country's premier secondary school competition focused on restaurant management and culinary arts. The first-place culinary and management teams from the state competition head to nationals in the spring.

Students also are competing for scholarships from some of the nation's finest culinary and restaurant management post-secondary institutions.

​Exhibitors from both post-secondary institutions and potential future employers are present at the competition for students to network with and find out about opportunities for their future.

Register to attend

The competition is free to attend/observe, but registration is required.  If you want to attend the awards luncheon (and find out who won), the cost is $25/person. 

Seeking sponsors, volunteers, & exhibitors

There are numerous opportunities for industry members to get involved, from volunteering the day of the event to donating goods or swag for the students, to sponsoring. Download the PRLA member invite to learn how you can help.

• ​​Exhibit: ​Showcase your company or program to ProStart teachers, students, parents, and industry leaders at the Pennsylvania ProStart Student Invitational. The $150 fee includes meals for 2 representatives, exhibit space, and the opportunity to include an item in the student gift bags. Register online or download the form and return.
• Sponsor: The Pennsylvania ProStart Invitational brings together ProStart students
  from around the state to showcase their talent, passion and skill for the
  restaurant industry. All sponsors will receive recognition in all promotional
  materials, event program, and press releases, acknowledgement on the PA
  ProStart webpage, and may include an item in the student gift bags. Register online or download the form and return.
• Volunteer: We need volunteers for check-in, timing, judging, and more to keep the competition running smoothly. Contact Hope Sterner at (800) 345-5353 or hsterner@prla.org if interested.

Contact Hope Sterner, director of education, at (800) 345-5353 or hsterner@prla.org for more ways you can participate in Pennsylvania ProStart.

2020 Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Exhibitor Information

​Showcase your company or program to ProStart teachers, students, parents, and industry leaders at the Pennsylvania ProStart Student Invitational. The $150 fee includes meals for 2 representatives, exhibit space, and the opportunity to include an item in the student gift bags. ​Register online or download the form and return.