Students enrolled in the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s (NRAEF) ProStart program tested their mettle in a sophisticated, real-world culinary and business management competition focused on the restaurant and foodservice sector.

Held for three days in Anaheim, California, the National ProStart Invitational challenged 89 student teams from secondary schools across the nation to create a three-course meal, while corresponding teams presented business proposals for an original restaurant concept.

The Invitational’s culinary competition showcased each team’s creative abilities through the preparation of an appetizer, entrée, and dessert in 60 minutes. Students were measured on preparation, taste, skill, teamwork, safety, and sanitation.

Management teams developed a business proposal for opening and operating a restaurant, and were asked to solve the types of daily challenges faced by restaurant managers. An expert panel of judges from industry and academia evaluated each team.

The 2015 National ProStart Invitational team winners are:

• First Place Culinary: Olathe North High School, Olathe, Kansas
• First Place Management: Wando High School, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
• Second Place Culinary: South Forsyth High School, Cumming, Georgia
• Second Place Management: San Diego High School, San Diego, California
• Third Place Culinary: Polaris Career Center, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 
• Third Place Management: Standley Lake High School, Westminster, Colorado
• Fourth Place Culinary: Anderson Career and Technology Center, Williamston, South Carolina
• Fourth Place Management: New Caney High School, New Caney, Texas
• Fifth Place Culinary: Simon Sanchez High School, Territory of Guam
• Fifth Place Management: Plymouth Canton Educational Park, Canton, Michigan

The NRAEF and sponsors offered cash scholarships for the first through fifth place culinary and management teams in amounts ranging from $500-$5,000. In addition, leading culinary schools and post-secondary institutions offered scholarships to the winning teams.

All Invitational competitors had the opportunity to meet with schools, recruiters, and restaurant and foodservice employers to discuss higher education and career paths in the industry during the event.