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Wisconsin ProStart®
ProStart® is a nationwide curriculum and mentoring program designed to introduce high school students to the skills needed for careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. In Wisconsin, the program is available at more than 100 high schools and trains more than 6,300 students annually.
Requirements to become a ProStart school include:
- Use the Foundations of Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts textbooks as part of
curriculum
- ProStart Instructor will need to become ServSafe® Certified after the first year of teaching
- 210 or 213 License from the Department of Public Instruction preferred but not required
- Educator must complete NRAEF (National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation) survey in the fall of every school year
Benefits of ProStart
- Practical and hands-on experience in the classroom
- College-prep classes offer transfer credit and advanced placement opportunities
- Access to scholarships and funding for post-secondary education
- Competitions to challenge culinary and management skills
- Employment options build connections with industry professionals
- Opportunity to earn the National Certificate of Achievement
GETTING STARTED WITH PROSTART
Mentor a Student
Student internships can cover culinary and management techniques, business aspects of the industry, competition preparation, and more.
- Provide real-world experience to an enthusiastic workforce
- Enhance supervisory skills while providing students insight and feedback
- Gain access to a qualified, interested pool of employees
- Create positive public relations – mentors often receive recognition in
press - Make a lasting impact on students’ lives
Recruit from ProStart
Hire current ProStart students and program graduates in your business.These students have committed themselves to the industry and are armed with the foundational skills for success in a variety of foodservice and hospitality management roles.
Connect with Classrooms
When the industry unites with the classroom, students benefit from the expertise and experience.
- Be a guest speaker
- Conduct a hands-on demo
- Offer a fieldtrip to your place of business
- Donate products or equipment
Advocate for Students
Your support of the Wisconsin ProStart program can help in a variety of ways:
- Directly impact the ProStart program at the state or local level
- Fund ProStart scholarships
- Provide key training to build a quality workforce
- Support student travel to regional and national competitions
- Enhance the industry’s image through media outreach
- And more!
TEACHER RESOURCES
Curious about ProStart? Wondering how to start it at your school? Email ProStart Coordinator Alex Vernon at avernon@wirestaurant.org for more information!
Our ProStart Teacher’s Handbook was created by current ProStart teachers and the ProStart Coordinator, and covers many aspects of the ProStart program, from implementation to SLOs, recipes, sample syllabi, and so much more. Available as a hard copy or a pdf, contact ProStart Coordinator Alex Vernon at avernon@wirestaurant.org if you would like a copy.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Each summer we offer a Teacher Training for ProStart educators and those interested in the program in Wisconsin. This one-day workshop offers presentations, demonstrations, resource sharing, the opportunity to network with fellow ProStart instructors, and much more!
ProStart Teacher Training is sponsored by:
- Society Insurance
- Wisconsin Beef Council
- Culver's Foundation
NATIONAL LEVEL
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation offers week-long Summer Institutes at post-secondary institutions throughout the country. There are four levels of trainings, during which participants:
- Earn restaurant/foodservice educator certification
- Learn from faculty composed of nationally recognized content experts
- Network among peers
- Tour restaurant and foodservice facilities
- Receive classroom materials
More information, including dates, locations, and scholarship information, can be found at www.chooserestaurants.org.
Culinary Competition
Teams of four students have one hour to prepare a three-course meal and are judged on knife skills, teamwork, sanitation, safety, menu presentation, and taste.
Please contact Alex Vernon if you have any questions.
Management Competition
Teams of four students develop a business proposal for a new restaurant concept, create posters, answer critical thinking questions and present their concept to judges.
The ProStart Invitational draws media attention while providing young professionals
with industry experience. Winners receive scholarship dollars and a trip to the National ProStart Invitational.
Recipe for Excellence
Sponsored by the WRAEF and University of Wisconsin-Stout, teams of two high school students prepare an entrée while being judged on teamwork, knife skills, sanitation and taste.
Related Links
Teacher Resources
The Wisconsin ProStart Teacher’s Handbook covers many aspects of the ProStart program, from implementation to SLOs, recipes, sample syllabi, and so much more.
Alumni
Become a member of the Wisconsin ProStart Alumni group to help facilitate ongoing relationships and cooperation within the foodservice and hospitality industry.
Scholarships
The WRA Education Foundation awards over $40,000 in scholarships annually based on future plans in foodservice, academic records and recommendations.
Get Involved
Help inspire tomorrow’s chefs, managers, operators, suppliers and foodservice educators by getting involved in Wisconsin’s ProStart® program.
ProStart Career Expo
The WRA Education Foundation will host its first annual “ProStart Career and Industry Expo” next fall where hundreds of students from across the state will meet and learn from industry professionals.