News & Information
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| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Andy Deloney |
May 6, 2008
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517/377-3931 |
Michigan's Fruitport High School Takes Second Place Honors at the Seventh Annual National ProStart Student Invitational
Fruitport Students Earn Thousands in Scholarships to Continue Their Education
LANSING, MI – The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) announced today that the students from Fruitport High School won second place in the culinary competition at the seventh annual National ProStart® Invitational, held April 24-26 in San Diego, CA. The competition, presented by National Restaurant Association Solutions, brought together the top ProStart® students from 35 states, territories and districts to battle for medals, prizes and scholarships in both a culinary and management competition. As a result of their success, each of the students were awarded a $3,500 scholarship from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and The Coca-Cola Company, the competition’s Premier Sponsor. Fruitport High School also won $700 from the NRAEF and The Coca-Cola Company to put towards its ProStart® program.
"These talented students rose to the top of the competition, and brought home the honor of second place for the entire state,” said Rob Gifford, president and CEO of the MRA. “Their success is a testament to the hard work done by the students, teachers and mentors, and we couldn’t be more proud of them. We are honored to support these students as they embark on a career in this exciting industry, and anticipate great success for them.”
The Fruitport culinary team consisted of Jeni Cavanaugh, Ashley Hartman, Melissa Hulbert, Karly Krentz, and Jasmine Pickell. The team is taught by Michal Wheeler and mentored by Chef Chris Madsen, Chef de Cuisine of the 1913 Room at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids; Chef Scott Hunter, Executive Pastry Chef at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel; Daryl Tammen, knife skills coach; Bonnie Tammen; and Steve Loftis, operator of Harbor Restaurants in Grand Haven. To place in the culinary competition, the team prepared a starter, entrée and dessert within 60 minutes and were judged on categories including taste, presentation, safety, sanitation and teamwork.
In addition to the NRAEF/Coca-Cola scholarship, students were offered scholarships from Conrad N. Hilton College ($1,250 each), Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America ($7,500 each), Culinary Arts Academy ($500 each), The Culinary Institute of America ($1,500 renewable each), Indiana University of Pennsylvania ($1,500 each), The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes ($2,000 each), Johnson and Wales University ($2,000 each), Kendall College ($2,000 each), New England Culinary Institute ($10,000 each), and Professional Culinary Institute ($7,500 each).
The team’s success at the National ProStart® Invitational followed their triumph at the state competition, which they had to win to qualify for the national competition.
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 423,000 people and creating more than $12.8 billion in annual sales. For more information please call 800-968-9668.
The ProStart program encompasses approximately 60,000 students and 1,600 teachers in 47 states, territories and districts. The career-building program was developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and is managed nationally by National Restaurant Association Solutions in conjunction with state restaurant associations. The ProStart program is a two-year curriculum designed to teach high school students the management skills needed for a career in the restaurant and foodservice industry. When students pass two national exams, complete a checklist of competencies, and participate in at least 400 hours of a mentored work experience, they are awarded the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement that signifies they are well qualified to enter the industry workforce. For more information on the ProStart program and National ProStart Invitational, please visit www.weareprostart.org.
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