For Immediate Release
February 19, 2018
Pennsylvania high school students compete for scholarships and berth to national competition
Hospitality industry association to host statewide event to showcase the industry’s future workforce
Harrisburg, Pa. (February 19, 2018)—ProStart teams from nine Pennsylvania high schools will meet in State College, Pa. on Friday, February 23, 2018, for the fourth annual Pennsylvania ProStart Invitational. The statewide competition includes culinary and management divisions that will take place at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
ProStart is a nationally accredited two-year program for high school students that develops tomorrow’s hospitality industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-life experience opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime.
“This competition gives students the opportunity to demonstrate the culinary and management skills they have gained through the ProStart program,” said Hope Sterner, director of education for the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association. “We are eager for the competition day to arrive so the students can showcase their talents.”
Schools sending teams to the fourth annual competition include: Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology (Bellefonte), Central Westmoreland Career & Technology Center (New Stanton), Crawford County Career & Technical Center (Meadville), Eastern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center (Latrobe), Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center (Johnstown), Indiana County Technology Center (Indiana), Jefferson County-Dubois AVTS (Reynoldsville), Milton Hershey School (Hershey), and Monroe Career & Technical Institute (Bartonsville).
Teams competing in the management division will demonstrate their industry knowledge by developing and presenting a restaurant proposal and applying their critical thinking skills to challenges managers face in day-to-day operations.
Teams competing in the culinary division are tasked with creating a gourmet, three-course meal in 60 minutes using only two butane burners. The performance of teams in both divisions is observed and rated by judges from leading colleges and universities and industry professionals.
The first-place teams from each division will represent Pennsylvania at the National ProStart Invitational, April 27-29 in Providence, R.I. More than $62,000 in scholarship money will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place finishers in each division at the Pennsylvania ProStart Invitational.
The Pennsylvania ProStart Invitational is sponsored by C.A. Curtze Company, The Hershey Company, Ecolab, Gordon Food Service, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews, UnitedHealthcare, Auntie Anne’s Inc., Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Pepsico, SYSCO Pittsburg, Pittsburgh Technical College, Westmoreland County Community College, Gunter Wilhelm, Mercer Culinary, Utz, Indiana University of Pennsylvania Academy of Culinary Arts, and New Chef.
About ProStart
With national and local support from industry members, educators, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and state restaurant association partners, ProStart® reaches more than 118,000 students in 1,700 high schools across 50 states, the Territory of Guam and at Department of Defense schools in Europe and the Pacific.
From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-life experience opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime. Learn more at www.nraef.org/prostart.
About the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association
Founded in 1937, the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association strives to promote, protect, educate, and improve the hospitality and tourism industries in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PRLA conveys the unified voice of the hospitality and tourism industries to the Commonwealth’s citizenry and elected officials. Its members play an integral role in the economic growth of the Commonwealth.
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Contact: Stephanie Otterson
Director of Communications
(717) 963-8369
[email protected]