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Deadlines this Month:
October 2
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ProStart Culinary Team Competitions Application
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St Thomas University ProStart Regional Workshop on October 23
October 9
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UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality ProStart Regional Workshop on October 29
October 16
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Universal Orlando’s EPIC Dish Competition – Starter Edition Entry Paperwork
October 30
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UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality ProStart Regional Workshop on November 19
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Behind the scenes at NRA Show
ProStart Culinary Team Competitions
The 26th Annual ProStart Culinary Team Competitions will take place Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7, 2027, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando.
On Saturday, March 6, most of the Culinary Teams and Management Teams will compete along with all Edible Centerpiece teams. On Sunday, March 7 the remaining Culinary and Management teams will compete along with all of the Waiter’s Relay Teams. The competition will be followed by an awards dinner at the Rosen Plaza Hotel.
STIPEND FOR COMPETING SCHOOLS The FRLAEF will provide stipends to offset the cost of participating in the event. The stipend will be $425 per competition with a school receiving a total of $1700 for competing in all four events.
RULES Florida’s Culinary and Management Competitions mirror the national rules. Therefore, we cannot release Florida’s Culinary or Management Competition rules until the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) finalizes the national rules. NRAEF did release their rules, and we updated ours to match. However, there are questions that need to be answered so we removed our rules until further information is available from NRAEF. We do know there will be some changes to the competition rules. For teams beginning to think about their Culinary Menu, please know all teams will need to demonstrate a Shallow Pouch as one of their two cooking methods.
HOTEL The Rosen Plaza Hotel will be the host site for the 2026 ProStart Culinary Team Competitions. The room rate at the Rosen Plaza is $175 per night. To reserve hotel rooms contact the Rosen Plaza at 800-627-8258 and reference the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. The deadline to make hotel reservations is Wednesday, February 3, 2027. Do not wait to book your rooms! You may always adjust your reservation as the event gets closer.
The ProStart Culinary Team Competitions webpage is live and contains the Universal Orlando Edible Centerpiece Competition and Fresh From Florida Waiter Relay Competition rules.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY!
The application deadline is Friday, October 2, 2026. Applicants will be notified their status mid-October.
2026 COMPETITION PHOTOS
2026 COMPETITION VIDEO
FRLAEF Regional Workshops – REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
The FRLA
EF is offering nine Regional Workshops this fall. ProStart teachers may bring up to five students to each event. There is no fee to attend a Regional Workshop which includes lunch and chef coats for participating ProStart students. Travel to and from Regional Workshops is at your own expense.
If Regional Workshops reach maximum capacity prior to the deadline, all subsequent schools will be placed on the waiting list. Most events begin at 8:30 am and conclude no later than 2:00 pm. Below are the ProStart Regional Workshops that are still available.
UCF Rosen College of Hospitality, Orlando:
- October 29, and November 19
St. Thomas University, North Miami:
- October 23
Please do not register for more than one event. We only have space for first-time attendees at each event, so register for the event you are most interested in attending. If you are interested in another event, let us know and we will send you the link for the Waiting List.
Universal Orlando EPIC Dish Competition – Starter Edition
FRLA and UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality are excited to announce the Universal Orlando EPIC Competition – STARTER Edition. A Starter is defined as a soup, salad or appetizer. Starters should contain multiple components and utilize a meat, seafood or alternative protein and should showcase culinary skill, scratch cooking and have an elevated level of execution.
This event will take place in three stages with the winning item placed on the menu in one of Universal Orlando’s properties. The first stage of the event consist of teams submitting their menus and recipes. The top ten entries will then be selected to compete in-person at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality. The third and final stage of the competition will be the top three teams competing at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality where the winning item will be selected.
STAGE ONE: All entry paperwork due by October 16, 2026 via THIS DROPBOX.
STAGE TWO: Top 10 selected teams to Orlando on December 1, 2026.
STAGE THREE: Top 3 selected teams cook and present STARTER in Orlando on February 2, 2027.
You may use any equipment you want as there are no restrictions concerning electric or battery-operated devices. For the in-person stages, we will discuss the equipment provided in the kitchens to ensure teams have everything they need. For the first stage, make sure EVERYTHING is correct in your recipes which includes math, measurements, etc. as the judges will be looking at every detail. For the first stage, these details may determine if you advance to the second stage.
CLICK HERE for complete competition rules.
Recipe, Costing, Menu, Substitute Template
NRAEF Data Survey is Open
The Annual NRAEF Data Survey is open. All Florida ProStart instructors were emailed a link to take their survey or a link to register at the site. If you did not receive a link, please email Hayley Klees at hklees@FRLA.org.
Why complete the data survey? Completing the annual survey ensures that your school is considered a confirmed ProStart program for the 2026-27 school year. That means…
- Competition Eligibility: Only confirmed programs can compete on a state and National level.
- Grants: Only confirmed programs are eligible to apply for grants like the Rachael Ray Grow Grant or the grant to attend the NRAEF’s annual ProStart Professional Development course or apply for a Florida ProStart Mini Grant.
- COAs: The Certificate of Achievement portal in MyProStart is only open to educators and students from confirmed ProStart programs.
The survey closes on November 6, but don’t wait! All survey completers will receive $800 in free foodsafety training from the FRLAEF.
Mini Grants
The FRLAEF Board will meet in October to award Mini Grants based on your applications. Laura Rumer will email you concerning your application no later than October 26. If you were awarded your request, her email will include instructions on how to purchase your item(s). If your item(s) were not approved but the board set aside funds, her will email include details on how to purchase other items you need.
Fresh from Florida – Florida Peanuts – Tiny but packed with fun and Flavor!
Florida peanuts are IN SEASON! Known for trusted flavor and quality, Florida peanuts deliver the simple goodness families have enjoyed for generations. Grown under the Florida sunshine, peanuts are naturally packed with protein — more than any other nut — with seven grams per serving. They’re also full of vitamins, minerals and heart‑healthy plant‑based fats, making them a nutritious, delicious and affordable choice for families.
Did you know that about 75% of Florida’s peanut crop becomes peanut butter? Spread it thick on toast or make a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and it’s an easy way to add good nutrition to your day. A PB&J made with Florida peanut butter provides 15 grams of protein, 13 grams of plant-based unsaturated fat and 5 grams of fiber in one comforting, budget-friendly meal.
This month, we are celebrating peanut season with fun, flavorful ways to enjoy Florida peanuts, including our Florida Peanut Popcorn Balls and Florida Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars (No Bake) recipes. From sweet treats to school-day snacks, these dishes show just how simply and satifsying Florida peanuts can make every meal.
When you choose Florida-grown peanuts and peanut butter, you are choosing wholesome, flavorful food that is grown close to home. Share your peanut-inspired creations and tag @FreshFromFlorida. Find more inspiration for recipes and ideas at FreshFromFlorida.com
Food Safety Training!
Do not forget to order your FREE Food Safety Training! If you returned your completed Letter of Agreement, Hayley Klees sent you a SurveyMonkey for $350 worth of Food Safety Training. As you complete the NRAEF Data Survey, Hayley Klees will send you another SurveyMonkey for $800 worth of Food Safety Training. If you have questions about either of these items or cannot find your SurveyMonkey email, please let us know.
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show takes place October 25-27, 2026 in Orlando.
PROSTART INSTRUCTORS
ProStart teachers may use the following complimentary code to register for the Show. Complimentary code: ANDREAVIP
Go Here and click on “Start Non-Member Registration”
PROSTART STUDENTS
Up to 10 ProStart students may attend the Show. However, there is a $30 fee per student and the following rules apply.
- Students may register at the rate of $30 per person.
- Each group of 5 students must be accompanied by a faculty member or chaperone (21+), and the group must remain with their chaperone at all times. Any students found unaccompanied on the show floor will be escorted back to the lobby and will have their badge voided with no refund. No more than 10 students will be permitted per school.
- If maximum student allotment is reached, student registration will be closed.
- Discount codes are not valid on Student Admission registrations and students will be required to show their ID to get their name badges.
To register your students, click the link above and enter the code STUDENT26
EDUCATION AT THE SHOW Forty-plus hours of education is included with your Show badge! Take advantage of the free education classes once you are at the Show. The schedule has not been set, but check for updates on THIS PAGE to plan your time at the Show to full advantage.
ProStart Innovation Lab is Back!
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is excited to announce the relaunch of the Inspire Brands Flavor Forward: ProStart Innovation Lab, a hands-on, project-based learning experience designed to help students connect classroom learning with real-world restaurant and foodserivce careers.
The lab returns this year in response to educator feedback, with a renewed focus on providing flexible, ready-to-use resources that reduce planning time while increasing student engagement. Educators can implement the experience as a semester-long project, capstone assignment, end-of-unit assessment, or independent learning opportunity.
Learn more and access the Innovation Lab resource hub today.
Behind the scenes at the NRA Show!
Applications are now open for the High School Visitation Program at the 2027 National Restaurant Association Show, taking place May 22-25, 2027, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
This unique opportunity allows culinary and hospitality students to explore 2200+ exhibitors, attend chef demonstrations, connect with colleges and industry leaders, and experience the future of foodservice firsthand.
Students and chaperones receive a special discounted rate of just $40 per person. Applications are due October 30, 2026, though schools may be accepted later as space allows.
Watch the 2026 recap video and apply today!
Hospitality Industry Internships
The Hospitality Industry Internship (HII) provides the opportunity for Florida ProStart & HTM instructors to work in a 
foodservice/lodging establishment for at least 40 hours. Once the required paperwork has been processed, the participant will receive a personal check for $800.
To qualify for an HII, the instructor must teach the ProStart curriculum during the 2026-2027 school year. If you are already employed at a restaurant or hotel, you MAY NOT use that site for your internship. The restaurant/hotel must be a new work experience for you, not somewhere you have worked before or used as an HII internship location.
The applicant must secure a position at a foodservice or lodging facility where a minimum of 40 hours of hands-on experience is guaranteed. The host location may pay the recipient but is not required to do so.
The FRLAEF will award 11 HII’s this school year on a first-come, first-served basis. So apply NOW! Work experience may begin once the applicant receives an award notification from the FRLAEF.
APPLY NOW!
Become a Premier ProStart School with Free ProStart Exam Materials
Teachers often ask how they can become Premier ProStart schools when they are doing everything required to be Full ProStart schools. In order to get to Premier, you must have at least one student earn the ProStart Certificate of Achievement (COA). If you have a student already working in the foodservice industry, this could be a pathway to get to Premier status. To earn their COA, students must:
- Work at least 400 hours in the foodservice industry
- Pass both Foundations exams
- Have their manager complete the Work Experience Checklist
For a detailed list and a how-to of these steps click here.
The FRLAEF offers free ProStart exam materials each year to Premier and Full ProStart schools. Once we have received a teacher’s Full Implementation contract you are free to request complimentary scantrons or online codes.
Complimentary ServSuccess Materials
ServSuccess is a stackable foodservice industry credential. The entry level certification is Certified Restaurant Professional (CRP). Individuals must have 400 hours of industry experience along with the ServSafe certification to be eligible to sit for the CRP. No training is required but five modules are offered.
If you would like to take the courses and/or the exam, email Hayley Klees to let her know and she will get you signed up for free!
The link below will provide you with additional information on CRP.
Scholarships
The FRLAEF will award at least $65,000 in scholarships during the 2026-2027 school year. Each scholarship awarded will be in the amount of $2,000 and will be a one-time, non-renewable scholarship.
To be eligible for this scholarship the applicant must:
- Be enrolled in a ProStart program in a Florida secondary school
- Be a graduating senior who will begin post-secondary education in 2027
- Be entering a culinary or hospitality post-secondary program
- Return a copy of their OFFICIAL high school transcript to FRLAEF by application deadline
APPLICATION TIMELINE The FRLAEF Scholarship application will become available in January NewsBites. The application deadline is April 9, 2027.
ProStart Textbooks
A school in the panhandle purchased the 3rd edition of Foundations of Restaurant Management & Culinary Arts. They no longer need their Year 1 and Year 2 textbooks from the previous edition. If anyone would like the old textbooks, please let us know and we will connect you with the instructor.
The FRLAEF will conduct three ProStart Teacher Training events during summer 2027. Training will be held at the St. Thomas University in North Miami, Keiser University Sarasota campus and at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality in 
Orlando. All events will begin on Tuesday evening and conclude at Friday lunch.
PROGRAM COST
The FRLAEF will cover the cost of all Florida ProStart instructors who will be teaching the ProStart curriculum during the 2027-2028 school year. Attendees will be responsible for their travel and some meals.
SAVE THE DATE
Attendees may choose from one of the trainings below when the registration link becomes available in the March NewsBites.
June 7-10, 2027 St. Thomas University, North Miami
June 15-18, 2027 UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality
June 22-25, 2027 Keiser University, Sarasota