Save the Date! February 27, 2019, at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center.

Pennsylvania ProStart Student Invitational

ProStart® is a nationwide, two-year 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 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.

Competition Results 2018

MANAGEMENT
FIRST PLACE
Jefferson County-DuBois AVTS

SECOND PLACE
Central Westmoreland CTC

THIRD PLACE
Monroe Career Technical Institute

CULINARY
FIRST PLACE
Milton Hershey School

SECOND PLACE
Monroe Career Technical Institute

THIRD PLACE
Jefferson County-DuBois AVTS

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. 

What else?

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.

The competition is free to attend. However, if you want to attend the awards luncheon (and find out who won), the cost is $25/person. REGISTER
There are numerous sponsorship opportunities, from adopting a team to supporting travel expenses to nationals and everything in between. 

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

Thank you sponsors!

2018 Competition Exhibitors

• Ecolab
• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews
• Gordon Food Service
• Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
• Chili's Grill & Bar
• SYSCO Pittsburgh
• IUP Academy of Culinary Arts
• Johnson & Wales University
• Pennsylvania College of Technology
• Penn State School of Hospitality Mgmt
• Pittsburgh Technical Colleges
• Sullivan University
• The Art Institutes
• The Culinary Institute of America
• The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College
• Westmoreland County Community College