Wisconsin ProStart®FEEDING DREAMS. BUILDING FUTURES.
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 115 high schools and trains more than 8,400 students annually. Requirements to become a ProStart school include:
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Benefits of ProStart
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Getting Started with ProStart
Mentor a StudentStudent internships can cover culinary and management techniques, business aspects of the industry, competition preparation, and more.
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Recruit from ProStartHire 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 ClassroomsWhen the industry unites with the classroom, students benefit from the expertise and experience.
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Advocate for StudentsYour support of the Wisconsin ProStart program can help in a variety of ways:
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Teacher ResourcesCurious 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 DevelopmentEach 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:
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National LevelThe 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:
More information, including dates, locations, and scholarship information, can be found at www.chooserestaurants.org. |
Certificate of Achievement
The ProStart Certificate of Achievement (COA) is the highest honor for a ProStart student. To earn the ProStart National COA, a student must:
- Pass the Foundations of Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts Level 1 and Level 2 exams
- Document at least 400 hours of work experience
- Demonstrate proficiency on over 50 workplace competencies.
ProStart Events
ProStart InvitationalOur culinary and management competitions where high school students can showcase their culinary talents and management knowledge and receive feedback from the industry’s top professionals.
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ProStart Career & Industry ExpoOur on-day regional education & career readiness experiences where ProStart students have the opportunity to meet and learn from industry professionals.
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ProStart Virtual Learning SeriesOur virtual learning series is a unique and impactful way to give students opportunities to connect with hospitality industry professionals, explore different career paths and learn relevant skills from top experts. It’s fun, it’s educational and it’s interactive. Even better? Students and teachers can access the videos and zoom sessions from home or in the classroom – live or on demand.
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ProStart Skills ChallengeOur virtual mini competitions that feature a variety of challenges and formats, including videos, photos and print.
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"ProStart is my varsity sport because no one really understood how many hours you put into making your dreams come true.
I don’t know where I would be today without ProStart."
I don’t know where I would be today without ProStart."
– KAYLEE, FORMER PROSTART STUDENT
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"They really provided us with endless opportunities to pursue and make our dreams a reality."Claire was interested in the Culinary Arts & Management program through ProStart. This program is available at more than 100 Wisconsin high schools and trains more than 6,300 students annually!
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Become a member of the Wisconsin ProStart Alumni group to help facilitate ongoing relationships and cooperation within the foodservice and hospitality industry. |