Pennsylvania ProStart

Feeding Dreams. Building Futures. Developing today’s high school students into tomorrow’s restaurant and and hospitality leaders.

PA ProStart Overview Brochure 2023/24

About the ProStart Program

What is ProStart?

ProStart® is a two-year, industry-backed culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students that reaches 165,000 students in over 1,800 schools within all 50 states, Washington, DC, and the Territory of Guam.

The program provides practical skills and real-world educational opportunities to open doors for fulfilling careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry.

ProStart Curriculum

ProStart utilizes the Foundations of Restaurant Management & Culinary Arts curriculum, developed by the National Restaurant Association in partnership with academic and industry experts. A blended coverage of culinary arts and management topics are designed to develop well-rounded skills that translate to today’s workplace.

ProStart Invitational

Each winter, the Pennsylvania ProStart Invitational is held in State College. The competition gives students real-world experience and tests their skills and knowledge in both culinary arts and restaurant management. The first-place teams in each division move on to represent Pennsylvania at the National ProStart Invitational held in Washington D.C. each spring. They will compete for scholarships to the country’s top post-secondary culinary arts and hospitality programs and bragging rights!

ProStart Certificate of Achievement

ProStart’s National Certificate of Achievement (COA) is an industry-recognized certificate awarded to students who have completed the requirements of the ProStart program. Earning the COA can give students a leg up in employment search and opens the door to collegiate opportunities. Students must complete the program, pass two national exams and complete 400 hours of mentored work experience to earn the certificate. HOW TO EARN THE PROSTART COA

Students

Your future in hospitality starts here. Find more information on earning your ProStart COA, scholarships, job opportunities, and more.

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Educators

ProStart educators help build the future leaders of the restaurant and foodservice industry.

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Industry

Choose to be a key player in the future of this industry, where you can inspire young people, offer avenues for advancement, and tell the world about the endless opportunities available in the restaurant industry.

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ProStart Invitational

The annual Pennsylvania ProStart Invitational challenges students from across Pennsylvania to put their skills to the test in culinary arts, restaurant management, and cake decorating competitions, in hopes of moving on to the nationals in Washington D.C.

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