The "Rhode" To Success for Delaware ProStart Students
All across the state, high school educators are partnering with restaurant and food-service leaders to jump start the careers of more than 3,000 students in 18 Delaware high schools. The ProStart Program is a comprehensive, career-building program that blends industry-driven classroom learning with mentored work experience. The 2-year curriculum gives students classroom knowledge along with the technical and soft skills needed for success in the industry.
As part of the program, the Delaware ProStart Student Invitational is an annual competition for teams from schools around the state to demonstrate their skills, passion and leadership in two competitions: Culinary Teams prepare a 3-course meal and are judged on taste, presentation and innovation; Management Teams present full-fledged restaurant concepts and are judged on planning, marketing and critical thinking skills.
This year’s event, held in Wilmington in March, brought 20 teams together for the competition. Winning Culinary Teams from Dover, Lake Forest, and McKean High Schools and top Management Teams from Cape Henlopen, William Penn and Howard High Schools received not only prize packs and restaurant gift cards, but over $3 million in available scholarships from the Delaware Restaurant Association Educational Foundation for postsecondary education in the culinary and hospitality fields.
First place Culinary Team from Dover High School and first place Management Team from Cape Henlopen High School headed to Providence, Rhode Island in April to compete in the National ProStart Student Invitational. Months of training, practicing and perfecting recipes and restaurant concepts finally came to fruition, as the Delaware teams competed against their peers from all 50 states. Their passion and creativity earned kudos from the judges, and teams appreciated the invaluable experience of networking and exploring a new city with their mentors and instructors.
Delaware is “first” in so many ways, and the work of the Delaware Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, along with educators, mentors, and a stellar local restaurant industry helps us lead the nation in ProStart student success and in the development of cutting edge education and training. We are committed to helping students from all backgrounds and circumstances succeed and are thrilled to celebrate the achievement of our students.
Learn more at delawarerestaurant.org/education/prostart Visit EdibleDelmarva.com for the Culinary Team’s winning recipe.
