ProStart

What is ProStart®?

ProStart® is a nationwide, two-year, culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students. ProStart reaches over 200,000 students in 2,000+ high schools across all 50 states, Guam, and the District of Columbia. It is one of the most effective industry-supported career and technical education programs in the nation, empowering students to achieve long term, successful careers in the restaurant and foodservice sector.

Students who have completed the requirements of the ProStart® program are awarded an industry-recognized certificate – the ProStart® National Certificate of Achievement. To obtain a COA, students must pass both ProStart® exams, master foundational skills, and work 400 mentored hours in the industry. Students who receive the certificate are eligible for NRAEF scholarship opportunities and course credits at some of the country’s leading hospitality and culinary arts colleges and universities.

Louisiana Seafood ProStart® Invitational

Held in the Spring each year, the Louisiana ProStart Invitational (LPSI) is a fast-paced two-day competition where ProStart students from across the state demonstrate their mastery of both culinary and management skills.

Teams participating in the culinary competition must demonstrate their creative abilities by designing a three-course gourmet menu and preparing it in only sixty minutes, much like Iron Chef. Teams must complete their meal using only two tabletop burners. They are judged upon taste, organization, menu costing, knife skills, and proper sanitation methods.

In the management competition, teams develop a business proposal for an original restaurant concept, including facility layout, menu development and menu costing. Teams demonstrate their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry by delivering a verbal presentation on their original concept and applying critical thinking skills to challenges managers face in day-to-day operations. Each team’s concept is presented to a panel of judges, much like Shark Tank. Teams are judged upon their concept as well as how well they can think on their feet to answer challenging real industry scenarios.

First through fourth place winning teams from each of the two events are awarded more than $800,000 in scholarship opportunities to pursue a career in the restaurant and foodservice industry.