Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2022
Media Contacts:
Emily Daunt
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (517) 377-3933 |
Michael Odom or Adam O’Connor
Marx Layne & Company (734) 259-9060 Odom’s cell (248) 321-0586 O’Connor’s cell |
Students from Sanilac Career Center and Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Win the Michigan ProStart Competition
Winning Teams Will Represent Michigan at National ProStart® Invitational in Washington, D.C., May 6 – 8, 2022
Winning Teams Will Represent Michigan at National ProStart® Invitational in Washington, D.C., May 6 – 8, 2022
LANSING, MICH. – The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (MRLAEF) will send the Culinary team from Sanilac Career Center from Peck, Michigan, and the Management team from Plymouth-Canton Educational Park from Canton, Michigan, to compete against teams from across the country at the National ProStart® Invitational in Washington, D.C., May 6 – 8, 2022. Both teams were awarded first place in their respective disciplines at the Michigan ProStart® Competition held on Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West in Lansing, Michigan
A total of 31 teams representing 12 career and technical centers from across Michigan competed at the Michigan ProStart Competition, an annual culinary and management competition hosted by the MRLAEF. Student teams competed in Culinary, Management, Knife Skills, Nutrition Discipline, Tabletop Design and the ServeSafe® Knowledge Bowl, and were judged by top industry professionals as well as leading college and university instructors who observed and rated all portions of the competition.
“It is both encouraging and exciting to witness the hundreds of students who arrive to compete for ProStart, showcasing their talents and motivations—ready to demonstrate their passion for the hospitality industry,” said Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. “We’re proud that this technical program can help teach and grow these eager individuals, and point them in the proper direction both for their future and the future of the industry.”
The winning Culinary team from Sanilac Career Center prepared a three-course meal comprised of:
The winning Management team from Plymouth-Canton Educational Park presented its winning restaurant concept of a New Roots Restaurant, which is a fast-casual American plant-forward sustainable brunch establishment. The concept featured air plants, a living green wall, sustainable options for to-go containers and community outreach classes to provide education on how to live more sustainably.
Downriver Career Tech Consortium at Riverview High School won the Nutrition Discipline competition. Saddqa Bahidrah, Plymouth-Canton Educational Park was awarded first place in Knife Skills. The Table Top design winner was West Shore ESD and Saginaw Career Complex won the ServeSafe Knowledge Bowl.
The top teams shared in more than $100,000 in scholarships to help the students pursue careers in the foodservice industry.
The final standings for the 2022 Michigan ProStart Competition are as follows:
Culinary
First Place: Sanilac Career Center, Peck
Second Place: Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, Canton
Third Place: Gaylord High School—Culinary Arts Program, Gaylord
Fourth Place: Tuscola Technology Center, Caro
Fifth Place: Regional Career Technical Center Team A, Ypsilanti
Management
First Place: Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, Canton
Second Place: Saginaw Career Complex, Saginaw
Third Place: West Shore ESD, Scottville
Knife Skills
First Place: Saddqa Bahidrah, Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, Canton
Second Place: Madison McDowell, Gaylord High School—Culinary Arts Program, Gaylord
Third Place: Anthony Vallad, Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District Career Center, Bay City
Nutrition Discipline
First Place: Downriver Career Tech Consortium at Riverview High School, Flat Rock
Second Place: Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District Career Center Team A, Bay City
Third Place: West Shore ESD, Scottville
Table Top Design
First Place: West Shore ESD, Scottville
Second Place: Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District Career Center, Bay City
ServeSafe Knowledge Bowl
First Place: Saginaw Career Complex (Saginaw)
Second Place: Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District (RESD) Team A, Clare
Third Place: Gaylord High School—Culinary Arts Program, Gaylord
Fourth Place: Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District (RESD) Team B, Clare
Annually, more than 5,000 Michigan students at 69 high schools and career centers participate in the ProStart curriculum, a two-year high school program that unites the classroom and the industry to nurture the talent and passion of restaurant and foodservice industry’s future leaders. Each spring, ProStart students from across Michigan compete in the Michigan ProStart Competition, an annual culinary and management competition hosted by the MRLAEF.
A total of 31 teams representing 12 career and technical centers from across Michigan competed at the Michigan ProStart Competition, an annual culinary and management competition hosted by the MRLAEF. Student teams competed in Culinary, Management, Knife Skills, Nutrition Discipline, Tabletop Design and the ServeSafe® Knowledge Bowl, and were judged by top industry professionals as well as leading college and university instructors who observed and rated all portions of the competition.
“It is both encouraging and exciting to witness the hundreds of students who arrive to compete for ProStart, showcasing their talents and motivations—ready to demonstrate their passion for the hospitality industry,” said Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. “We’re proud that this technical program can help teach and grow these eager individuals, and point them in the proper direction both for their future and the future of the industry.”
The winning Culinary team from Sanilac Career Center prepared a three-course meal comprised of:
- First course – Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, Balsamic Reduction
- Second course – Cast Iron Seared Scallops, Apple Sesame Couscous, Cauliflower Puree, and Broccoli Mash
- Third course – “Fried” Ice Cream featuring Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, Cinnamon Sugar Wonton, Caramel Apples, and Whipped Cream
The winning Management team from Plymouth-Canton Educational Park presented its winning restaurant concept of a New Roots Restaurant, which is a fast-casual American plant-forward sustainable brunch establishment. The concept featured air plants, a living green wall, sustainable options for to-go containers and community outreach classes to provide education on how to live more sustainably.
Downriver Career Tech Consortium at Riverview High School won the Nutrition Discipline competition. Saddqa Bahidrah, Plymouth-Canton Educational Park was awarded first place in Knife Skills. The Table Top design winner was West Shore ESD and Saginaw Career Complex won the ServeSafe Knowledge Bowl.
The top teams shared in more than $100,000 in scholarships to help the students pursue careers in the foodservice industry.
The final standings for the 2022 Michigan ProStart Competition are as follows:
Culinary
First Place: Sanilac Career Center, Peck
Second Place: Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, Canton
Third Place: Gaylord High School—Culinary Arts Program, Gaylord
Fourth Place: Tuscola Technology Center, Caro
Fifth Place: Regional Career Technical Center Team A, Ypsilanti
Management
First Place: Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, Canton
Second Place: Saginaw Career Complex, Saginaw
Third Place: West Shore ESD, Scottville
Knife Skills
First Place: Saddqa Bahidrah, Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, Canton
Second Place: Madison McDowell, Gaylord High School—Culinary Arts Program, Gaylord
Third Place: Anthony Vallad, Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District Career Center, Bay City
Nutrition Discipline
First Place: Downriver Career Tech Consortium at Riverview High School, Flat Rock
Second Place: Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District Career Center Team A, Bay City
Third Place: West Shore ESD, Scottville
Table Top Design
First Place: West Shore ESD, Scottville
Second Place: Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District Career Center, Bay City
ServeSafe Knowledge Bowl
First Place: Saginaw Career Complex (Saginaw)
Second Place: Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District (RESD) Team A, Clare
Third Place: Gaylord High School—Culinary Arts Program, Gaylord
Fourth Place: Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District (RESD) Team B, Clare
Annually, more than 5,000 Michigan students at 69 high schools and career centers participate in the ProStart curriculum, a two-year high school program that unites the classroom and the industry to nurture the talent and passion of restaurant and foodservice industry’s future leaders. Each spring, ProStart students from across Michigan compete in the Michigan ProStart Competition, an annual culinary and management competition hosted by the MRLAEF.
About ProStart
ProStart is a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and industry to develop the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders. In Michigan, 69 high schools and career centers use the ProStart curriculum with more than 5,000 students participating. For more information about ProStart, contact Amanda Smith at 800-968-9668, visit mraesf.org/events and follow ProStart on social media at twitter.com/ProStartMich, instagram.com/miprostart and facebook.com/MichiganProStart.
ProStart is a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and industry to develop the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders. In Michigan, 69 high schools and career centers use the ProStart curriculum with more than 5,000 students participating. For more information about ProStart, contact Amanda Smith at 800-968-9668, visit mraesf.org/events and follow ProStart on social media at twitter.com/ProStartMich, instagram.com/miprostart and facebook.com/MichiganProStart.
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
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