Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Press Secretary
850.224.2250 x255
[email protected]
(TALLAHASSEE, FL)—Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) today announced the winners of the 14th Annual ProStart Culinary Team Competitions which were held Wednesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 6 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
A total of 60 schools participated in the competition with 16 schools winning top awards throughout the day’s events. More than $800,000 in scholarships was distributed to the winning schools. All participating teams were comprised of high school juniors and seniors that are enrolled in the ProStart curriculum program during the 2013-2014 school year. Teams participated in four competitions which included the Cracker Barrel Management Competition, the Johnson & Wales University Culinary Competition, the Keiser University Edible Centerpiece Competition, and the Coca-Cola Company Waiters Relay Competition.
J. P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs won first place in the overall competition. Tarpon Springs High School took home second place in the overall competition, with Leto High School in Tampa placing third.
“FRLAEF is the only organization in Florida that offers the ProStart program,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “It is designed to increase the quality and employability of today’s high school graduates by providing them with school-to-career training and giving them more opportunities for foodservice and lodging careers, and higher education. We congratulate all the winners and participants of the team competitions.”
Overall Competition Winners
First Place
J.P Taravella High School, Coral Springs
Instructor: Scott Goodman
Second Place
Tarpon Springs High School
Instructor: Cathleen Ryan
Third Place
Leto High School, Tampa
Instructor: Debra Hladky
Fourth Place
Sandalwood High School, Jacksonville
Instructor: Kathreen Gross-Dunbar
Fifth Place
East Ridge High School, Clermont
Instructors: Lucressie McGriff & Ken Pitts
Cracker Barrel Management Competition
Participating teams demonstrated their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry by developing a business proposal for a new restaurant concept. The business proposal consisted of a defined restaurant concept, supporting menu, and supporting marketing plan. Teams prepared a comprehensive written proposal, verbal presentation and visual display.
First Place
J.P Taravella High School, Coral Springs
Instructor: Scott Goodman
Second Place
East Ridge High School, Clermont
Instructors: Lucressie McGriff & Ken Pitts
Third Place
Tarpon Springs High School
Instructor: Cathleen Ryan
Fourth Place
Miami Coral Park High School
Instructor: Susan Rivera
Fifth Place
Sandalwood High School, Jacksonville
Instructor: Kathreen Gross-Dunbar
Johnson & Wales University Culinary Competition
Participating teams demonstrated their creative abilities during the competition through the preparation of a meal consisting of: starter (such as soup, salad or appetizer), protein (such as meat, fish or fowl), starch, vegetable, and dessert.
First Place
Leto High School, Tampa
Instructor: Debra Hladky
Second Place
Walter Sickles High School, Tampa
Instructor: Rick Ceglio
Third Place
Tarpon Springs High School
Instructor: Cathleen Ryan
Fourth Place
Steinbrenner High School, Lutz
Instructor: Philip Meola
Fifth Place
Lake Worth High School
Instructor: Emmanuelle Suarez
Keiser University Edible Centerpiece Competition
Participating teams demonstrated their creative ability during the competition through the preparation of an edible centerpiece consisting of fruits and vegetables. Contestants explained nutritional information, product availability, and preparation techniques.
First Place
Crestview High School
Instructor: Paula Knight
Second Place
Osceola High School, Seminole
Instructor: Paul Kennedy
Third Place
J.P Taravella High School, Coral Springs
Instructor: Scott Goodman
Fourth Place
Martin High School, Stuart
Instructor: Shaun Southwick
Fifth Place
Tarpon Springs High School
Instructor: Cathleen Ryan
Coca-Cola Company Waiters Relay Competition
Participating teams demonstrated their ability to duplicate a table setting while racing against the clock.
First Place
Sandalwood High School, Jacksonville
Instructor: Kathreen Gross-Dunbar
Second Place
Cypress Creek High School, Orlando
Instructor: Cynda Aron
Third Place
George Jenkins High School, Lakeland
Instructor: Brenda Doss
Fourth Place
John A. Ferguson Senior High, Miami
Instructor: Janett Toledo, instructor
Fifth Place
Teneroc High School, Lakeland
Instructor: Jane Urick
For photos of the event, please click here.
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About FRLA Educational Foundation (FRLAEF)
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association created the Educational Foundation in 1994. FRLAEF administers and executes two high school curriculums ‐ the National Restaurants Association’s (NRA) ProStart and the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AH&LA) Lodging Management Program – in over 240 Florida high schools and provides resources to nearly 25,000 students in these culinary arts and hospitality management programs. Scholarships, Teacher Training Institutes, Industry Certifications, Equipment Mini‐Grants and Industry Internships are just a few of the products and services the FRLAEF provides to these classrooms.