ORLANDO – On March 7 and 8, more than 400 culinary students, representing 50 Florida high schools, gathered at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando to compete in the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation’s (FRLAEF) 20th Annual ProStart Team Competitions. Throughout the weekend, students competed in categories such as Culinary, Edible Creations, Management, and Waiter’s Relay.
“During the school year, students train in their respective crafts, eagerly prepping for the annual state competition,” says Laura Rumer, Director of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation. “During the competition, they were challenged to present their restaurant skills by creating detailed culinary dishes, crafting food displays made of fruit, showcasing restaurant proposals, and setting tables in a fun game of Waiter’s Relay. The students were rock stars and brought high quality work to the table, literally.”
The last event of the Florida competition was the Salute to Excellence dinner, where students were awarded for their respective competition categories. High school students also received scholarships from the FRLAEF and event sponsors, Johnson & Wales University, Keiser University, Culinary Institute of America, Culinary Institute of Virginia and Sullivan University. Together, $813,000 worth of scholarships were awarded.
2020 FLORIDA PROSTART TEAM COMPETITION WINNERS:
Overall:
1st Place – JP Taravella High School
2nd Place – East Ridge High School
3rd Place – Hialeah Gardens High School
4th Place – John A Ferguson High School
5th Place TIE – Eastside High School
5th Place TIE – Strawberry Crest High School
Johnson & Wales University Culinary Competition:
1st Place – Hialeah Gardens High School
2nd Place – East Ridge High School
3rd Place – JP Taravella High School
4th Place – Strawberry Crest High School
5th Place – John A. Ferguson High School
Rosen College at UCF Management Competition:
1st Place – East Ridge High School
2nd Place – Eastside High School
3rd Place – Northeast High School
4th Place – Strawberry Crest High School
5th Place – Martin County High School
Keiser University Edible Centerpiece:
1st Place – JP Taravella High School
2nd Place – Tarpon Springs High School
3rd Place – John A. Ferguson High School
4th Place – Hialeah Gardens High School
5th Place – South Lake High School
Waiter’s Relay:
1st Place – JP Taravella High School
2nd Place – Coral Gables High School
3rd Place – Chipley High School
4th Place – John A. Ferguson High School
5th Place – Ridgeview High School
ProStart is a nationwide, high school career program educating nearly 150,000 Florida students in culinary arts and restaurant management skills. ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and sets a high standard of excellence for the industry’s next generation of leaders. Yearly, students compete on state and nation-wide levels to showcase skills learnt in their classroom kitchens.
For more information about ProStart or FRLA’s Educational Foundation, visit our webpage or contact Director Laura Rumer at [email protected].
About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry which represents 1.5 million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of its membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. The association offers regulatory compliance and food safety training through SafeStaff® and FRLA’s subsidiary, RCS Training. The FRLA Educational Foundation provides industry-developed, career-building high school programs throughout the state.
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