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:

• Use the Foundations of Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts textbooks as part of curriculum     
• ​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

Donate to WRAEF

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.

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 Invitational

Our 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.​

ProStart Career & Industry Expo

Our on-day regional education & career readiness experiences where ProStart students have the opportunity to meet and learn from industry professionals.

ProStart Virtual Learning Series

Our 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.

ProStart Skills Challenge

Our virtual mini competitions that feature a variety of challenges and formats, including videos, photos and print.

ProStart Teacher Training

Our professional development offering for Wisconsin ProStart educators that feature an array of hands-on, discussion, and lecture based sessions regarding revalent culinary & hospitality concepts.

"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."

– KAYLEE, FORMER PROSTART STUDENT

"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!

Become a member of the Wisconsin ProStart Alumni group to help facilitate ongoing relationships and cooperation within the foodservice and hospitality industry.

Alumni Sign-up