Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2023
Media Contacts:
Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Students Take First Place in the National ProStart Hospitality Competition
CANTON, MICH. — The Plymouth-Canton Educational Park were awarded the first place prize in the Culinary category at the National ProStart® Invitational in Washington D.C.. The team advanced to nationals having placed first in Michigan’s statewide ProStart Competition on March 5, hosted by Michigan Hospitality Foundation.
Culinary teams are required to create a unique three-course meal consisting of a starter, entrée and dessert that demonstrates their culinary knowledge, skills and creative abilities. The Plymouth Canton Educational Park team prepared their meal of soy marinated tuna with pickled apple, charred scallion mayonnaise, beets, cucumber, avocado mousse and black tahini tuile as the appetizer. For the entree, the students served strip steak and braised short rib with potatoes dauphinoise and puree, carrot matignon, tomatoes and mushrooms jus lie. The team’s dessert was a coconut Bavarian orange-almond cake with caramel jam over a coconut, blackberry sorbet and passion fruit curd.
Team members include:
In addition to their awards and national recognition, each student took home $7,000 in prize money from the National Restaurant Association Educational Fund. The students also have access to a range of full and partial scholarships from colleges and universities from across the country.
The National ProStart Invitational (NSPI) is the country’s premier secondary school competition focused on restaurant management and culinary arts. Annually, nearly 400 student competitors put their skills to the test in front of industry leaders, NRAEF Trustees, state restaurant associations, and family and friends. This comes with the chance of earning scholarships from the nation’s best culinary and restaurant management programs.
“The Plymouth Canton team worked so hard in preparation for this competition, and I am incredibly proud of how far they have come,” said Diana Woodward, culinary arts instructor from Plymouth Canton Educational Park. “Their sophisticated meal stood out among the teams across the nation and they represented Michigan very well.”
Students must impress judges from leading industry corporations, colleges and universities with skills that they have developed through ProStart. The National ProStart Invitational is composed of two distinct competitions, management and culinary.
The top five teams from the culinary competition are awarded educational scholarships to help further their careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. In 2022, more than $200,000 in scholarships were awarded to the winning students. All competitors are encouraged to take full advantage of competing at the National ProStart Invitational by networking with other students and industry professionals in attendance
Culinary teams are required to create a unique three-course meal consisting of a starter, entrée and dessert that demonstrates their culinary knowledge, skills and creative abilities. The Plymouth Canton Educational Park team prepared their meal of soy marinated tuna with pickled apple, charred scallion mayonnaise, beets, cucumber, avocado mousse and black tahini tuile as the appetizer. For the entree, the students served strip steak and braised short rib with potatoes dauphinoise and puree, carrot matignon, tomatoes and mushrooms jus lie. The team’s dessert was a coconut Bavarian orange-almond cake with caramel jam over a coconut, blackberry sorbet and passion fruit curd.
Team members include:
- Mazin Ahmed, senior
- Yamir Garver, senior
- Carmen Hensley, senior
- Sophie Dorado, senior
- Charles Salowich, junior
In addition to their awards and national recognition, each student took home $7,000 in prize money from the National Restaurant Association Educational Fund. The students also have access to a range of full and partial scholarships from colleges and universities from across the country.
The National ProStart Invitational (NSPI) is the country’s premier secondary school competition focused on restaurant management and culinary arts. Annually, nearly 400 student competitors put their skills to the test in front of industry leaders, NRAEF Trustees, state restaurant associations, and family and friends. This comes with the chance of earning scholarships from the nation’s best culinary and restaurant management programs.
“The Plymouth Canton team worked so hard in preparation for this competition, and I am incredibly proud of how far they have come,” said Diana Woodward, culinary arts instructor from Plymouth Canton Educational Park. “Their sophisticated meal stood out among the teams across the nation and they represented Michigan very well.”
Students must impress judges from leading industry corporations, colleges and universities with skills that they have developed through ProStart. The National ProStart Invitational is composed of two distinct competitions, management and culinary.
The top five teams from the culinary competition are awarded educational scholarships to help further their careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. In 2022, more than $200,000 in scholarships were awarded to the winning students. All competitors are encouraged to take full advantage of competing at the National ProStart Invitational by networking with other students and industry professionals in attendance
Images and Video:
Awards Ceremony (start video at 1:48:50): https://vimeo.com/819181034
Team Photos and B-Roll Video: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qbekj0hp2d8fdsk3yzg05/h?dl=0
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, 70 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 or visit www.mrlaef.org/prostart.html.
About the Michigan Hospitality Foundation
The Michigan Hospitality Foundation, formerly known as the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation, seeks to enhance the hospitality industry's service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities. The MHF also prepares high school students for the challenges of a career in restaurants and foodservice through ProStart, a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and the industry. ProStart students learn vital kitchen skills, including food safety and knife cuts, and important management lessons, such as menu development and marketing. For more information, visit https://www.mihf.org.
Awards Ceremony (start video at 1:48:50): https://vimeo.com/819181034
Team Photos and B-Roll Video: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qbekj0hp2d8fdsk3yzg05/h?dl=0
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, 70 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 or visit www.mrlaef.org/prostart.html.
About the Michigan Hospitality Foundation
The Michigan Hospitality Foundation, formerly known as the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation, seeks to enhance the hospitality industry's service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities. The MHF also prepares high school students for the challenges of a career in restaurants and foodservice through ProStart, a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and the industry. ProStart students learn vital kitchen skills, including food safety and knife cuts, and important management lessons, such as menu development and marketing. For more information, visit https://www.mihf.org.
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