ProStart NewsBites March 2017

ProStart Competition Results!

$1.4 Million in Scholarships Awarded to Florida High School Students Participating in ProStart Culinary Team Competition

-47 Florida High Schools Participated in Hospitality Event in Orlando-

(Orlando, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) announced the winners of the 17th Annual ProStart Culinary Team Competition which was held Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando.

A total of 47 schools participated in the competition with 15 schools winning top awards throughout the day’s events. More than $1.4 million in scholarships was distributed to the winning schools. All winners and participants are a part of Florida’s ProStart program which is a career technical education program where high school students learn from an industry-derived curriculum that teaches culinary techniques and restaurant management skills.  More than 20,000 students from across the state are enrolled in the program. The four main event competitions included: the Cracker Barrel Management Competition, the Johnson & Wales University Culinary Competition, the Keiser University Edible Centerpiece Competition, and the Coca-Cola Company Waiters Relay Competition.

Tarpon Springs High School won first place in the overall competition. East Ridge High School in Clermont took home second place in the overall competition, with South Lake High School in Groveland placing third.  For photos of the event, please click here.

“These talented students represent the future of Florida’s hospitality industry and we are extremely proud to help support their education by awarding more than $1 million in scholarships. We are passionate about investing in these inspiring, young leaders of the trade and are thrilled to celebrate their incredible talents and pursuit of successful careers,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Overall Competition Winners

First Place Tarpon Springs High School Instructors: Cathleen Ryan, Vincent Pesce, Tony DiVencenzo
Second Place East Ridge High School Instructors: Ken Pitts, Chris Dwyer
Third Place South Lake High School Instructors: Candy Huxhold and John Thunberg
Fourth Place J.P. Taravella High School Instructor: Scott Goodman
Fifth Place Leto High School Instructor: Debra Hladky

Johnson & Wales University Culinary Competition Winners
Participating teams demonstrated their creative abilities during the competition through the preparation of a meal consisting of: starter (such as soup, salad or appetizer), protein (such as meat, fish or fowl), starch, vegetable, and dessert.

First Place Leto High School Instructor: Debra Hladky
Second Place J.P. Taravella High School Instructor: Scott Goodman
Third Place Mainland High School Instructors: Jason Kester and Troy Logan
Fourth Place Eastside High School Instructors: Billie DeNunzio and Pam Bedford
Fifth Place Seabreeze High School Instructors: Samantha Crouch and Meagan McCracker

Cracker Barrel Management Competition Winners
Participating teams demonstrated their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry by developing a business proposal for a new restaurant concept. The business proposal consisted of a defined restaurant concept, supporting menu, and supporting marketing plan. Teams prepared a comprehensive written proposal, verbal presentation and visual display.

First Place Tarpon Springs High School Instructors: Cathleen Ryan, Vincent Pesce, Tony DiVencenzo
Second Place Holmes County High School Instructor: April Coe
Third Place South Lake High School Instructors: Candy Huxhold and John Thunberg
Fourth Place Terry Parker High School Instructors: Ginger Stehlin and Dean Hanapel
Fifth Place Northeast High School Instructors: John Beck and Curtis Serata

Keiser University Edible Centerpiece Competition Winners
Participating teams demonstrated their creative ability during the competition through the preparation of an edible centerpiece consisting of fruits and vegetables. Contestants explained nutritional information, product availability, and preparation techniques.

First Place Estero High School Instructor: Jeremy Jasper
Second Place* Dixie Hollins High School Instructor: Christy Rabich
*Three-way tie East Ridge High School Instructors: Ken Pitts and Chris Dwyer
Hialeah Gardens High School Instructor: James Bryant
Third Place Tarpon Springs High School Instructors: Cathleen Ryan, Vincent Pesce, Tony DiVencenzo
Fourth Place Northeast High School Instructors: John Beck and Curtis Serata
Fifth Place Lake Minneola High School Instructors: Nick Sandora and Lance Bowles

Coca-Cola Company Waiters Relay Competition Winners
Participating teams demonstrated their ability to duplicate a table setting while racing against the clock.

First Place East Ridge High School Instructors: Ken Pitts and Chris Dwyer
Second Place South Lake High School Instructors: Candy Huxhold and John Thunberg
Third Place Stoneman Douglas High School Instructor: Ashley Kurth
Fourth Place J.P. Taravella High School Instructor: Scott Goodman
Fifth Place Mainland High School Instructors: Jason Kester and Troy Logan

Competition Video


ProStart Teacher of the Year

Curtis Serata, ProStart teacher at Northeast High School, was awarded ProStart Teacher of the Year at the Salute to Excellence Awards dinner on Saturday, March 4, 2017.  Chef Serata was nominated for the FRLAEF’s ProStart Teacher of the Year award by parents on his advisory committee, current students and even his high school principal.  Two overlying themes were mentioned by his nominators which were his passion for the students and his excitement teaching them about the foodservice industry.

Since Chef Serata became involved in the ProStart program at Northeast High School, he has increased the number of students earning industry of certifications, lead student teams to competition success and opened the student kitchen as a full-service restaurant.  Over half of the culinary seniors now have jobs and many are exploring college and other opportunities in the industry.


FRLAEF Scholarship Award Winners

The FRLAEF received over 100 Scholarship applicants! Scholarships were presented at the Salute to Excellence Awards dinner on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel. Each FRLAEF Scholarship recipient receives a $2,000 scholarship.

Matthew Blankenship, East Ridge High School

McKenzie Deneau, Lake Minneola High School

Sarah Denman, South Lake High School

Kylie Eagan, Bayside High School

Kailey Godwin, Belleview High School

Alisha Goldstein, Coral Glades High School

Amanda Gonzalez, Atlantic Technical College and High School

Jose Graveran, Hialeah Senior High

Jayla Herring, Eastside High School

Summer Huelle, Tarpon Springs High School

Bobby Karterouliotis, Tarpon Springs High School

Caylia Krise, Winter Springs High School

Kenya Liburd, Marion Technical Institute

Najai Martinez, Flagler Palm Coast High School

Brayden Moore, Crestview High School

Brian O’Connell, New Smyrna Beach High

Chrysten Pickney, Terry Parker High school

Janie Ramkishun, South Lake High School

Zecheria Robinson, Lake Wales High School

Ethan Strahan, Martin County High School

Samuel Torres, Dunnellon High School

Danna Turner, John I Leonard High School

Micaela Vieyto-Howell, Dunnellon High School


Hospitality Excellence Award Winners

Hospitality Excellence Awards were presented to almost 50 ProStart students on Saturday, March 4, 2017 during the Salute to Excellence Awards.  This award is designed to give recognition to the top student in each Florida ProStart high school.  ProStart  teachers nominated students to receive this prestigious honor.

Andrew Ethell, Bartow High School

Wargner Joseph, Bayside High School

Alex B. Sapp, Belleview High School

Nicholas Stewart, Bethlehem High School

D’Andre Thompson, Columbia High School

Brianna Brown, Coral Glades High School

Alexa Pinijian, Coral Springs High School

Bailey Sloan, DeLand High School

Adam Rhymes, Dixie Hollins High School

Samuel Torres, Dunnellon High School

Matthew Blankenship, East Ridge High School

Jayla Herring, Eastside High School

Sabrina Torres, Estero High School

Alexie Breckenridge, Eustis High School

Zachary Dinh, Fernandina Beach High School

Ashley Greenfield, Flagler Palm Coast High School

Natalie Abreu, Forest Hill High School

Hildania Madrigal, Fort Pierce Central High School

Darian Mitchell, Frank H. Peterson Academy

Vanessa Ulloa, Hialeah High School

Leanna Pippin, Holmes County High School

Gloria Louis, J.P. Taravella High School

Stefania Rivero, John A Ferguson Senior High

Victoria Savoy, Keystone Heights High School

Hannah Gibb, Lake Minneola High School

Angel Nieves, Leto High School

Max Taylor, Mainland High School

Chris Gaskill, Marathon High School

Tayler Williams, Martin County High School

Mackenzie Duquette, Middleburg High School

Anabel Martinez-Sori, Northeast High School

Casey Skumatz, Nova High School

Jessica Grecco, Orange Technical College-Mid FL

Brandon Veleski, Seabreeze High School

Stephen Crilly, South County Career Center

Marvilous Anderson, South Dade Senior High School

Juan Rangel, South Lake High School

Azizah Bahhur, St. Lucie West Centennial High

Danielle Wynn, Strawberry Crest High School

Desiree Dunno, Tarpon Springs High School

Chrysten Pickney, Terry Parker High School

Shantell Mcfarlane, Wekiva High SChool

Joshua Isaacs, Winter Haven High School

Alyssa Osinga, Winter Springs High School


Registration Open for Teacher Training Institute!

The 20th Annual ProStart Teacher Training Institute takes place June 18-23, 2017. The week-long training providesTTI 2016 background WHITE-min-1 Florida ProStart instructors with the knowledge necessary to teach the ProStart curriculum. Each day’s learning is built around topics covered in the ProStart curriculum.

FOUR YEARS OF TRAINING
The ProStart Teacher Training Institute is divided into four years of participation. The content of each level has changed slightly. Year Four has all new content.  Next year, Year Four will return to the baking and pastry week. 

FIRST YEAR ATTENDEES focus on the Foodservice Industry, Culinary Techniques and Methodology, Food and Workplace Safety as well as Stocks, Sauces and Soups.
SECOND YEAR ATTENDEES take an in-depth look at Nutrition, Culinary Technique and Methodology, Customer Service, Food Procurement along with Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Fabrication
THIRD YEAR ATTENDEES continue their ProStart Teacher Training experience in Marketing, Cost Control, Desserts, Baked Goods, Global Cuisines and Ingredients with a strong emphasis on the art and craft of teaching in a culinary setting.
FOURTH YEAR ATTENDEES will experience a new program focused on the connection between Diet and Health and Wellness, Life Span Nutrition, Plant Based Cuisine, the use of Technology for Nutritional Analysis and the Science of Cooking.

Due to limited space, participants may attend only if they can stay for the entire week.

LOCATION

All classes will be held at Johnson & Wales University (JWU) North Miami campus, 1701 NE 127th Street, North Miami, Florida, 33181.

PROGRAM COST

The FRLAEF will cover the cost of all Florida ProStart instructors who will be teaching the ProStart curriculum during the 2017-2018 school year. Attendees will be responsible for their travel and some meals.

CLICK HERE to register! More information about the training is at the link.

Registration closes on Friday, April 14, 2017.


NRAEF Scholarship Application Open

The online National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Undergraduate Scholarship Application is now open. The site will remain open until April 1, 2017.  

Three tips for NRAEF undergraduate scholarship applicants:

  1. Don’t wait until the last minute!  Undergraduate scholarship applications close on April 1.  Give yourself enough time before the deadline to write better essays and gather all the required documentation.  The scholarship application doesn’t have to be completed in one sitting.
  2. Make sure you provide an email address you check often!  All communication regarding your scholarship application will be via email and it’s the applicant’s responsibility to provide a working email address that is checked frequently.  Don’t provide an email address you won’t be using or have access to after the summer or you may miss important information.
  3. Scope out and give a heads up to potential recommenders!  You’ll need at least two letters of recommendation with your scholarship application. Letters of recommendation are requested through the online scholarship application. Make sure to let your recommenders know beforehand that you intend to ask for their recommendations so they know to look out for the system email (that’s how they provide the letters) and help ensure that they submit on time.
CLICK HERE for the application page.

 ProStart Marketing Piece Availableprostart-rack-card-p2prostart-rack-card-p1

The FRLAEF has developed a marketing piece for ProStart that is designed to explain ProStart to parents and potential classroom mentors or sponsors.

These pieces are perfect for an Open House for your program or showcasing your program in the community.  If you are interested, please let us know and we can send them to you. If possible, please give us two weeks lead time.

The piece is pictured at right. Clicking on the image opens it full size.


ProStart Video  & Curriculum Resources

CLICK HERE to see almost 40 ProStart Videos. The videos range from making Mother Sauces to how to fabricate a sheep!

CLICK HERE for a dropbox full of ProStart curriculum resources from a former ProStart teacher in North Carolina.


Foodsafety Materials

Each Premier and Full ProStart program is eligible for free Foodsafety materials.  To ensure you get the materials you need, you must notify us.  Once we receive your ProStart Classification paperwork, you can order up to $350 of Foodsafety materials. Click here for the ServSafe price list. Email Amy Parker to place your order–you do not need to fill out the form. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

In case you missed it, CLICK HERE to see how FRLAEF has restructured Foodsafety Training material awards.


ProStart Scantrons

The FRLAEF will distribute over $25,000 worth of free ProStart Exam Scantrons to Premier and Full ProStart schools during the 2016-2017 school year. Once a school has turned in their ProStart Classification paperwork, email Amy Parker to let her know how many ProStart Exam Scantrons you need. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.