Briefly describe your job and responsibilities.
I am the founder and sole employee of The Venue Specialist. I research and establish relationships with venues and other Philly area event vendors to be able to match clients with venues that are perfect for their event.
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What does a "typical" day at work look like for you?
Each day is different, but during the pandemic it's been webinars, industry and venue research to stay up to date, and carving out time for social media.

What was your first job in the hospitality industry?
My very first job was at a deli when I was 16 years old. I enjoyed working in the food industry, so the next job I had was as a hostess then waitress at a restaurant.

When did you know this industry was right for you?
The year after college, I waited tables at a fine dining restaurant. We had the capacity to host private parties, which included weddings. I enjoyed working the events, and especially enjoyed being able to work as the assistant to the Event Coordinator. That was a huge turning point for me.

Briefly describe your career path and how you got to where you are today.
My undergrad is from Drexel in Marketing. After my 3 co-ops, I knew I wanted to spend as little time as possible in a cubicle and I did not want to work for a massive company. After college, I waited tables for a year, and then I taught English in Germany for a year. When I returned to Philly from Germany, I tried to get a job in the events world, but I had a very difficult time getting my foot in the door. I ended up taking a cubicle job at a large company and immediately started applying to grad schools. I was accepted into Temple's Tourism and Hospitality Management program, which I absolutely loved. I did all of my research in the craft beer industry, which led to an internship with a local brewery and a full-time job after graduation. I spent the next 7 years working and teaching in the beer industry, but a few years ago needed a break. I wanted to stay in the Tourism and Hospitality Management field, but I wasn't sure what was next. I spent a few months both self reflecting and reconnecting with friends and colleagues from over the years, trying to figure out how I could use my talents doing something that I enjoyed, and of course make a living! I recognized the difficulty that people had in finding the right venue for their event, more specifically for weddings, and I just started running with the idea of being a venue specialist. Once I came up with the idea, I started asking friends who were already married if they would have paid someone to have found their wedding venue for them, as opposed to them doing all of the research and contacting themselves. The response was overwhelming, and I realized that I had a great idea for a business!

What is your favorite part of your job?
So many elements! I love working with the venues and cultivating relationships with other event industry colleagues. I love being able to problem solve and think outside of the box to offer my clients suggestions and solutions that they wouldn’t have arrived at on their own.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
Finding clients! Since the concept of a venue specialist is relatively unknown, potential clients who are frustrated in their venue search don't know they can pay someone to do the work for them. It's a lot of work to get the word out about the services I offer!

What advice would you give to students interested in your profession?
Everyone has their own path, so even though the door to working in the events world wasn't open for me before, I found another door. Whatever you decide to do today, doesn't have to be what you are doing 5 years from now. Just keep learning and networking and find out what you are truly good at and passionate about, and that's what will drive you.

What achievement are you most proud of?
The implementation of our elopement and micro wedding packages - our COVID 2020 pivot. I'm absolutely loving working with these smaller weddings!

What do you like to do outside of work?
Travel and explore other parts of the world, enjoy adventures with my husband and dog.

What is your favorite food to make or eat?
I love sandwiches!

What's at the top of your bucket list?
Traveling to Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

ProStart management teams demonstrate their knowledge of the restaurant & foodservice industry by developing a new restaurant concept and presenting it to a panel of industry judges at a simulated business exposition. Teams submit a written proposal and posters outlining their restaurant's service style, floorplan, menu, pricing, marketing tactics, and more. Team members put their problem-solving skills to the test as they are asked how to solve challenges faced by managers daily.
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Management Competition Results:

Culinary teams demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and creative abilities as they prepare a unique 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 by judges from the foodservice industry and post-secondary schools.

Culinary Competition Results:

We were pleased to honor the teaching duo from Monroe Career and Technical Institute (MCTI), Samantha Armstrong and John Picarello, as the 2020 Pennsylvania ProStart co-Educators of Excellence during the 2020 Pennsylvania ProStart Invitational.

John and Samantha work as a team to bring the ProStart curriculum to life in their classrooms. They have embraced the Foundations curriculum, including having all their students test for certificates. Since taking over the MCTI ProStart program, John and Samantha’s students have earned more than 25 certificates of achievement. Their students are fully involved in all aspects of running their school’s café, which is open daily. They provide their students with fun in-class competitions, access to industry events, and field trips.
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Samantha and John will also be recognized as state winners at the National ProStart Invitational in Washington D.C. this May. Congratulations, and thank you for the commitment and passion that you share with your students in class every day!

What does a "typical" day at work look like for you?
I sell social and corporate parties for my venue through servicing inquiries, cold calls and networking.
It’s a lot of time on the phone going through event details, building out contracts, and making event dreams come true!

What was your first job in the hospitality industry?
A server when I was 16.

When did you know this industry was right for you?
I tried working in other industries and I hated how stuffy and monotonous it was. I crave the excitement and human interaction this industry gives me. Plus, I'm a hospitable person by nature, so I love giving people a great experience.
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Briefly describe your career path and how you got to where you are today.
I was a server and bartender throughout my 20s. Eventually, I craved a more stable paycheck, so I transitioned to a management position. From there, I fell in love with sales and marketing, and dedicated myself to the event sales sector of the hospitality industry. There are more typical hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm) which gives me a great work life balance, although I still crave the night life from time to time.

​What is your favorite part of your job?
Making connections with people! I love knowing that I am someone's go-to contact for events or partnerships. Like I said before, I want everyone to have a great experience when they are working with me, so if I can make someone's life easier, my job is done.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
Meeting sales goals will always be a challenge because there can be external reasons why certain groups aren't returning, or we aren't seeing the same business month after month. However, it's what makes the job fun.

What advice would you give to students interested in your profession?
Make connections! This is a tight knit industry full of professionals that want to help, so go out and meet people. Make yourself known. Be prompt with responses, and people will love working with you.

What achievement are you most proud of?
I was recognized in my company as a Rising Star in my first year- that's when I knew I found a home!

What do you like to do outside of work?
Bar hopping, hiking, playing video games, hanging out with my husband and dog. I'm a reality TV addict.

What is your favorite food to make or eat?
Mac and cheese.

What's at the top of your bucket list?
Travel more. I'm crossing Belize off my list this year, and I hope to do Machu Picchu soon.

What was your first job in the hospitality industry?
I worked as a prep cook in a small restaurant after failing out of college.

What does a "typical" day at work look like for you?
My days can be so much fun! I typically start and end my day with desk work and emails. I then plan for the day and make any adjustments to schedules or processes needed for any of the different profit centers under my care. I usually am working a station somewhere during our lunch rush. This could include anything from cooking to pulling shots of espresso or bussing tables. Throw in a few meetings throughout the day and that pretty much completes it.
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When did you know this industry was right for you?
I knew this was the correct choice after working in the industry for a few years and committing to go to culinary school. I loved the challenges and camaraderie of the kitchens.

2020 here we come! Save the date for the 2020 Pennsylvania Prostart Invitational—Wednesday, February 26th. The competition will once again be held at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center in State College, PA. 
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The Pennsylvania ProStart Invitational challenges high school students from across the state in two distinct competitions—management and culinary— which showcase the most important skills needed in the restaurant and foodservice industry. For each competition, student teams must impress judges from leading industry businesses, colleges, and universities with skills they’ve developed through the ProStart Program.

The first place winning team in each division will move on to represent Pennsylvania at the National ProStart Student Invitational, held May 8-10, 2020 in Washington, D.C.

The public is invited to check out the action—observing the competition is free-of-charge, and tickets to the awards luncheon are $25/person. We are currently seeking sponsors, exhibitors, and donors for the competition. Click below for more information.​

The PRLA Educational Foundation Scholarship Program is now open and accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year! The scholarship program annually provides Pennsylvania students with support to further their education in the hospitality industry. Last year, the PRLAEF awarded a record $40,550 to 26 Pennsylvania students who were enrolled in a post-secondary culinary arts or hospitality management program.

To be eligible for the scholarship program:

• Student must be a Pennsylvania resident.
• Student must be either:
  • A graduating high school senior who has been accepted into a hospitality or culinary arts program at an accredited post-secondary institution for the 2020-21 school year.
  • A currently enrolled post-secondary student who will be studying in a hospitality or culinary arts program during the 2020-21 school year.

To be considered for a PRLAEF scholarship, students must submit an application online by March 1, 2020. Visit www.prla.org/scholarships for more information or to start your application. Once you create a user account and begin an application, you can save your work and return later to finish.

Scholarships range in value from $500 to $5,000. This scholarship is not automatically recurring, but students may re-apply each year they are eligible. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Hope Sterner at hsterner@prla.org.

ProStart Instructors from across the state gathered in State College on August 6th for the 2019 Pennsylvania ProStart Instructor Workshop. Instructors spent the day sharing best practices, hearing about ProStart program updates for the upcoming school year, and expanding their knowledge-base through guest presentations on a variety of topics such as butchering, gluten-free cooking and baking, and aquaponics. View some photos of the day below.

Nichole Hockenberry of the PA Beef Council greeted the instructors and introduced Dr. Jonathan Campbell, Penn State University Meat Extension Specialist, who demonstrated a live breakdown of a beef chuck. A recording of this demonstration is available here.

Next up— a tour of Penn State's hospitality facilities and instructional restaurant, Cafe Laura, from Penn State hospitality instructor Kimberly Cooper and Penn State SHM Director of Hospitality Industry Relations, Brian Black. Instructors were also greeted by the School of Hospitality Management's director, Dr. Donna Quadri-Felitti.

We rounded out the day with presentations on gluten-free cooking and baking from Nittany Lion Inn Executive Chef Marissa Schaeffer and Aquaponics at State College High School from State High biology teacher and Aquaponic Club Advisor Jack Lyke.

Thanks to all of our partners who made this informative and interactive workshop possible. Thanks also to all of the dedicated PA ProStart Instructors who took time out of their summer break to work on their own professional development, and ensure that their program is the best it can be for their students. We're looking forward to the start of a new school year! 

Name: John Reis, CFBE
Occupation: Corporate Executive Chef, Hilton Harrisburg
Chef John Reis has a world of experience in the culinary arts. After coming to the United States from Portugal with his family at the age of 12, Chef Reis started cooking and hasn't stopped since. He worked and learned his way into his first executive chef position at just 23 years old. Since joining the Hilton Harrisburg in 1990, Chef Reis has overseen culinary efforts for the Hilton, The Hilton Garden Inn Hershey, Central Penn College Conference Center and Bricco. Most recently, he led the culinary team in developing menus for the Hilton Harrisburg’s Ad Lib Craft Kitchen & Bar and 1700 Degrees Steakhouse. We asked Chef Reis a few questions to learn more about life as a hotel executive chef.

1. What does a typical day at work look like for you?
I usually come to work at 7am and leave around 6pm unless we have banquets or other events. Then I stay until we serve dinner or I feel comfortable. I will check with all my sous chefs before I leave.

2. Why did you choose this career/industry?
My passion for cooking started growing up as one of 4 boys in my family. I started cooking for my brothers since both of my parents worked. During high school, I helped cook with the lunch ladies to feed the students.

3. What was your first job in the industry?
My first job was in Hartford, Connecticut as a prep cook while I was going to high school. I started working after school at the Hotel America, which then became the Sonesta Hotel and then The Summit Hotel.
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4. Briefly describe your career path and how you got to where you are today.
Like I mentioned before, I started working when I was only 15 years old as a prep cook. In those days, kitchens were set up very European style, with stations including:

• Prep cook
• Pantry
• Broiler
• Roasting station
• Sauté station
• Vegetable cooking

While I was learning all those stations, I always helped out in the restaurant as a busboy, server, food runner, etc. I worked in all those stations until I became a sous chef, was sous chef for a few years before becoming banquet chef, then executive sous chef and then executive Chef at 23.

5. What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my job is to make all my staff feel the passion that I have for their job. Our job is different than any other one—without passion for what we do, the final result is not the best and the customers now expect that.

6. What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing a career in culinary?
The advice that I have is to treat cooking not just as a job, but as a playground, where we need to have fun at what we do.

7. What achievement are you most proud of?
My greatest achievement that I am most proud of was to be able to open two brand new kitchens from the ground up and becoming one of the youngest executive chefs at 23 years old.

8. What do you like to do when you’re not working?
My work is my life, but I still like to cook at home. With three grandkids, and two of them living up the street from me, it is nice to see them almost daily. I also like the sun, so I like to go to our local pool when I am off or work out in the yard on a nice sunny day.

9. Favorite thing to make (or eat)?
Since I am Portuguese, I like foods with a lot of flavors, especially garlic, tomatoes and paprika. I am a very simple eater- some of my favorites are meatloaf, eggplant Parmesan, and pastas.

Thanks for following along this National Culinary Arts Month! To learn more about culinary career options, visit: ​https://careerpath.chooserestaurants.org/job-titles.html

1. What does a typical day at work look like for you?
A typical day of work for me would be clocking in around 9 o'clock and gathering my contracts and recipes for the event my Executive Chef has assigned to me. I begin making soups and sauces, writing new recipes, and revising old ones. Around 2 o'clock I gather all of my team to pack the truck with food and props, then head to the event.  

2. Why did you choose this career/industry?
After high school, I wasn't sure which direction I wanted to go. I could've gotten into the construction business like the rest of my family, but that didn’t make me feel as happy as rocking a Friday night dinner service on the line, and searing every scallop perfectly! Ticket machines spewing tickets to the floor, and banging out 250 covers in an hour. 

3. What was your first job in the industry?
My first job in the culinary industry was a pizza cook at Pizza Hut.
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4. Briefly describe your career path and how you got to where you are today.
I started out working in little mom and pop scratch kitchens—a few pizza shops and breakfast diners where I really developed the love for cooking. Shortly after I graduated high school, I enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School. Once I learned about all of the classical cooking, the history and techniques, I was hooked.

5. What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part about my job would be that there's always something different to do every day. I'm never stagnant, repeatedly doing the same thing day in and day out. There is always a different event, whether it be a plated dinner service, a buffet, or passed Hors D'oeuvres. 

6. What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part about my job is the time spent away from my family. Being a chef is demanding work, and requires a lot of invested hours, as any job would.

7. What advice would you give to students interested in working in the hospitality industry?
Advice I would give to someone interested in the industry is always be willing to learn. Be motivated, reliable, and determined to succeed. 

8. What achievement are you most proud of?
The achievement I am most proud of would be obtaining my degree from Le Cordon Bleu.

9. What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
When I am not at work I like to spend every single minute I have off, with my family. Relaxing watching movies with my kids and going outside to play.

10. Favorite dish to make (or eat)?
I'm not sure if I have a favorite dish to cook, I'm not too picky. But Italian cuisine would be my favorite to cook and eat.

1. What does a typical day at work look like for you?
I start my day first thing in the morning by skimming emails for an emergencies or time sensitive events. By the time I get to the office, I have a mental plan of action for the day and know what will need my attention first. Planning events in a big city with lots of conventions means a mix of very last minute events and events that are planned up to a year in advance. I spend my office time answering emails, detailing events, speaking with clients over the phone and communicating with the restaurants on execution for the events I plan. During the evenings, I am on call for any event emergencies or on-site for any VIP events.

2. Why did you choose this industry?
I fell in love with the restaurant industry as a server and bartender in high school for a new restaurant that opened in my hometown. Seeing the business grow from the ground up was so much fun for me. I loved the energy of serving and interacting with my guests. My love for the industry inspired me to study hospitality management in college at Penn State.

3. Briefly describe your career path and how you got to where you are today.
I studied hospitality management in college and participated in a very inspiring women’s leadership program my junior year which provided me with amazing resources and mentors in my industry. By October of my senior year, I had accepted a position to work for Hillstone Restaurant Group as a manager after graduation. This job took me to Dallas for a 3 month intensive training followed by manager roles in Hillstone restaurants in Atlanta, Boston and Washington D.C. I transitioned to a manager role with STARR restaurants after about 3 years with Hillstone and I worked in Philadelphia at Buddakan restaurant for 2 years. After a brief stint away from the industry (3 months) I came back to work for STARR in a different role as an event manager.
               
4. What is your favorite part of your job?
I love that I get to experience the energy that comes with working with people and the restaurants but I still have the flexibility of more “normal” office hours. I feel so lucky to have a job that I love that also allows me to spend more time with friends and family than a restaurant manager ever allowed.

5. What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my job is establishing a balance between work and life. I plan events Monday- Friday during normal office hours but a very large majority of my events happen outside of those times. This makes it difficult to not always be “on” for any needs my clients or the restaurants may have.

6. What advice would you give to students interested in working in the hospitality industry?
I would advise anyone interested in the industry to be comfortable with working your way up. I was excited about being a restaurant manager but always knew I wanted a job with less night and weekend hours. By gaining experience on the floor in the restaurants first, I have a much better understanding of the execution of my events and I am so grateful for that experience.

7. What achievement are you most proud of?
I am the most proud of being a working mom! This is by far the hardest accomplishment and I am so proud of being able to have my career and provide for my son. Working full time while being a mom is such a challenge but also incredibly rewarding.

8. What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
I love to spend all of my free time outside. Most weekends my family and I are hiking or headed to the beach in the summer.

9. Favorite dish to eat (or make)?
I experiment with new recipes every week! I spend so much time talking about food throughout the day that I am inspired daily for new dinner options to make for my family. This week I made an amazing spicy shrimp cauliflower rice bowl!