The road to the National ProStart Invitational begins at the state level. State restaurant association partners host competitions for interested ProStart schools within their state.
The victors advance to the National ProStart Invitational, where they’ll represent not just their school, but their entire state.
Local schools compete in two distinct competitions at the state level – management and culinary events.
Management teams develop a proposal for the next hot restaurant concept and present it to a panel of industry judges. Next, their ability to think on their feet will be tested as they quickly solve challenges managers face on a daily basis.
The culinary competition highlights the creative abilities of each team through the preparation of a three-course meal in 60 minutes, using only two butane burners with no access to running water or electricity. There’s no room for error as they’re evaluated on taste, skill, teamwork, safety and sanitation.
The stakes are just as high at the state level as at the National ProStart Invitational - in 2024, over $1 million was awarded in scholarships at the state ProStart Invitational. The first-place teams in the management and culinary events are crowned the state champions and advance to the National ProStart Invitational.
