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| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Andy Deloney |
March 16, 2010
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517/377-3931 |
Students from Adrian, Coldwater, Lawrence, and Scottville Victorious at Michigan ProStart® Student Competition
National Invitational in Overland Park, KS is Next Stop for State Champs
LANSING – A team of culinary competitors from the Lenawee Intermediate School District (ISD) in Adrian, a team of hospitality management competitors from the Mason Lake ISD in Scottville, a team of menu design competitors from the Van Buren Technology Center in Lawrence, and a team of knowledge bowl competitors from the Branch Area Careers Center in Coldwater each took first place in their respective competitions at the Michigan ProStart® Student Competition, presented by the Michigan Restaurant Association Educational Support Foundation (MRA ESF) at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth.
The competition, held on Monday, was comprised of four distinct disciplines: culinary, management, menu design and knowledge bowl, and culminates a year’s work. The Lenawee ISD culinary team and the and the Mason Lake ISD management team will now advance to the National ProStart Invitational, April 30-May 2, in Overland Park, KS.
The winning Lenawee ISD culinary team demonstrated their creative abilities through the preparation of a meal consisting of an appetizer, entrée and dessert in only 60 minutes using two propane burners as their cooking equipment. Lenawee sent two culinary teams to the competition. While the second team did not win top honors, they finished well.
The Mason Lake ISD management team demonstrated their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry by developing a business and marketing plan for a new restaurant concept, delivering a verbal presentation, and applying critical thinking skills to operational challenges that managers face day to day.
The Van Buren Technology Center menu design team demonstrated their knowledge of marketing and menus by developing creative menu boards and menu displays, reflective of a standard restaurant concept.
The Branch Area Careers Center knowledge bowl team declared victory in a “Jeopardy!” style, question-and-answer event that tested the participants’ knowledge of the hospitality business.
For the top three teams in each discipline, more than $100,000 in post-secondary scholarship money was made available to the students so that they could continue preparing for their careers in the industry.
For a complete list of participating schools, a listing of the teams finishing in runner-up positions, and detailed information on the ProStart program, visit MRA ESF.
The competition was a success in large part thanks to very generous sponsors. The culinary discipline was sponsored by Sysco, the management competition was sponsored by Gordon Food Service, and the menu design competition was sponsored by U.S. Foodservice.
ProStart is a two-year curriculum designed to teach high school students the management skills needed for a career in the restaurant and foodservice industry. Students participate in paid internships where they are mentored by industry leaders. When students meet academic standards and complete a checklist of competencies, they are awarded the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement, which validates their skill sets and readiness to enter the industry workforce. ProStart involves approximately 83,000 student participants across 47 states, territories and districts. In Michigan, 60 schools and career centers use the ProStart curriculum, with over 2,700 students participating.
The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice community. Founded in 1921, the MRA represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 423,600 people and creating more than $13.1 billion in annual sales. For more information please call 800-968-9668.
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