2026 FRLAEF Scholarship Application — Closes April 10
The FRLAEF will award at least $65,000 in scholarships this Spring. 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 2026
- Be entering a culinary or hospitality post-secondary program
- Return a copy of their OFFICIAL high school transcript to FRLAEF by application deadline
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
The FRLAEF will conduct three ProStart Teacher Training events this summer. Training will be held at the Keiser University Sarasota campus, St. Thomas University in Miami, and at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality in 
Orlando.
PROGRAM COST
The FRLAEF will cover the cost of all Florida ProStart instructors who will be teaching the ProStart curriculum during the 2026-2027 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 March NewsBites.
June 8-11, 2026 St. Thomas University, Miami
June 16-19, 2026 UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality, Orlando
June 23-26, 2026 Keiser University, Sarasota
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
ProStart Teacher of the Year
Each year Florida’s teachers and their supervisors are asked to nominate individuals for ProStart Teacher of the Year. The 2026 ProStart Teacher of the Year is Christina Gedke-Balaschak, or Chef B for short, from St. Lucie West Centennial High School. Chef B completed the ProStart program while in high school and then moved straight into culinary school. She began her career at 18 with the Ritz-Carlton in Jupiter before transferring to the Ritz-Carlton in Boston. Her journey moved her back to Florida where she worked at the Waldorf Astoria and the Hilton Bonnet Creek. In 2015 she transitioned from the industry into teaching. She is now in her 11th year of teaching ProStart.
St. Lucie West Centennial Assistant Principal Sandra Oliveira said, “Chef Gedke-Balaschak exemplifies everything a ProStart educator should be. She is dedicated, organized, and passionate—not only about the culinary arts, but about learning itself. Her enthusiasm fills the classroom and inspires students to push beyond their comfort zones, explore new techniques, and take pride in the craft of cooking. Her commitment to her students is unmatched. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that every student feels supported and capable. She believes deeply in their success, setting high expectations while giving them the tools, guidance, and encouragement they need to meet them. Whether a student is new to the kitchen or already experienced, she meets them where they are and helps them grow.”
Chef B has worked to maintain St. Lucie West Centennial’s Premier ProStart program status while helping her students get jobs in the industry and scholarships for their future. Congratulations to Chef B!
Fresh from Florida: A Guide to Spring’s Brightest Flavors
We all know that food tastes better when it is grown closer to home. Locally grown and harvested food is easy to source if you look for the sunny Fresh From Florida logo when shopping or sourcing product. From December to April, Florida grown produce is the first domestically grown product that you will find on the Eastern seaboard.
Seasonality is the key to flavor and freshness when choosing and preparing food. Fresh From Florida celebrates seasonality with recipes which inspire everyone – from novices in the kitchen to the finest chefs. Visit FreshFromFlorida.com to explore what’s in season and check out our recipes featuring seasonal produce. Florida seafood and beef are also available throughout the year, so consider using these products to help your meals shine!
Florida blueberries are sweet and appealing. Peak season is March through mid-May. Blueberries are grown throughout the state, and the harvest can be followed from South/Central part of the state to North Florida as the temperatures heat up in the Sunshine State. This Blueberry Pop Pastry is a fun way to share Florida’s finest with family and friends. It can be served at breakfast, as a snack, or as a lovely dessert.
Florida sweet corn is available from November through May. Tender, golden, and naturally sweet, it’s a point of pride for Floridians. Whether on-the-cob, sautéed, or folded into seasonal dishes, sweet corn brings bright flavor and texture to the table. Paired up in this Florida Shrimp and Creamed Corn recipe, it’s a match made in heaven — a true celebration of the Sunshine State’s bounty.
Florida citrus is known for its bright, juicy flavor and is harvested across the state, bringing a taste of sunshine to kitchens near and far. Grown in Florida’s warm climate and fertile soil, citrus adds vibrant color and refreshing balance to both sweet and savory dishes. This Florida Citrus and Olive Salad is a beautiful way to showcase this signature crop, combining bold, fresh flavors for a dish that feels both simple and elevated — perfect as a starter or a light accompaniment to any meal.
Florida cucumbers are crisp, cool, and refreshing. Thriving in the Sunshine State’s ideal growing conditions, a mild flavor and satisfying crunch makes them a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Whether sliced into salads or used as a garnish, cucumbers bring brightness to seasonal recipes. Our Florida Cucumber-Key Lime Gin and Tonic brings a fresh, clean taste, creating a light and invigorating beverage that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Buy local. Support Florida farmers.
REGISTER FOR UPDATES! Want to learn how to improve the flavor and freshness of your students’ culinary creations and at the same time, support Florida farmers? Learn from the fun and engaging resources at FreshFromFlorida.com! To have FREE access to over 400 recipes and receive seasonal information from Florida’s Culinary Ambassador Chef Justin join the Fresh From Florida Club. Follow them to stay updated on Instagram or Facebook @FreshFromFlorida or at their website, followfreshfromflorida.com!
2026 Hospitality Excellence Students
The Hospitality Excellence Award is designed to give teachers the chance to recognize their top student each year based on their own criteria. The following students were recognized this year with a certificate during the Salute to Excellence Awards in February.
| School Name: | Name of Student: |
| Bartow High School | Jasmyn Diacheysn |
| Dunnellon High School | Valancy Baumann |
| Durant High School | Grace Cheuvront |
| Englewood High School | Sarah Farrington |
| Florida High | Asher Bryner |
| Frank H Peterson Academies | Emmanuel Smith |
| George Jenkins High School | Kayla Marrison |
| Holmes County High School | Corben Cutchen |
| Horizon High School | Natalia Fontana |
| J.P. Taravella High School | Samuel Paulus |
| Lake Minneola High School | Rocco Brown |
| Lyman High School | Maykah Cowan |
| Martin County High School | Alex Benoit |
| Miami Lakes Educational Ctr | Paula Muniz |
| Ocoee High School | Nataly Jimenez |
| OTC South | Jayliana de Jesus |
| Ridgeview High School | Colton Johnston |
| Robinson High School | Milo Brandon |
| Sandalwood High School | Maliyah Wilson |
| South Lake High School | Bobby Alonso |
| St Lucie West Centennial High | Janiyah Henry |
| Stoneman Douglas High School | Aurora Davis |
| Strawberry Crest High School | Riley Clark |
| Wekiva High School | Diego German-Quen |
| Winter Park High School | Francesca Ziegler |
| Winter Springs High School | Aura Bolivar Nino |
FRLAEF Post-Secondary Scholarship
Please share this with your graduating seniors!
In order to be eligible for this scholarship the applicant must:
• Be enrolled at a post-secondary school pursuing a culinary or hospitality program–Summer/Fall 2026 term
• Return your transcript by application deadline
The scholarship amount is based on investment returns and award amounts fluctuate from year to year. Approximately six $2,000 scholarships will be awarded. This is a one-time, non-renewable award. However, students may reapply each year.
Application deadline: May 15, 2026
Applicants notified award status by: May 22, 2026
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Discounted ESR7 Books
The FRLA has 8 7th Ed ServSafe Manager Books, Revised and 43 7th Ed ServSafe Manager Books, Spanish, Revised they will sell for $37.99/each plus shipping. If you are interested, let us know!
Smart Study for ProStart & ServSafe
Help your students with ServSafe Manager exam and ProStart Foundations exam preparation via adaptive learning techniques. ServSafe Smart Study Modules personalize learning based on each student’s unique needs and guides them to master the most critical course objectives. The program assesses individual knowledge, identifies and corrects misinformation, and redirects students to topic areas where they show struggle. The results are efficient learning, long-term retention, better prepared instructors and overall improved performance on exams.
Features include:
• Just in time multi-media “learning bursts” to address knowledge gaps
• Learning experience rooted in cognitive science for quick mastery and
long-term retention
• Confidence-based learning to improve performance and productivity
CLICK HERE to preview ProStart Foundations Smart Study
CLICK HERE to preview ServSafe Smart Study
For more information or to order, contact Lauren Robin at [email protected]
9th Edition ServSafe Manager Released
The new 9th edition ServSafe book is out, and NRAEF has increased the price by $2.00. The supplemental links are below so students can still use the 7th edition. The new Coursebook will be released in April.
There won’t be any additional price increases for instructional materials. However, Manager book-related products will see a modest increase of about 4% to help cover rising development and production costs—such as paper, printing, and distribution.
| Product | Existing Price | New Price | |||
| ServSafe Manager Book (9e) | $52.99 | $54.99 | |||
| ServSafe Manager Book (9e) and Answer Sheet | $72.99 | $75.99 | |||
| ServSafe Manager Book (9e) and Exam Voucher | $70.99 | $73.99 | |||
The 9th Edition ServSafe Manager Instructor and Student resources are now available and can be accessed using the links below. Use these to see any updates for the 9th edition Manager book. Keep in mind, you do not need to purchase the new edition to teach ServSafe, you can use the information at the links below to teach anything new.
If you are interested in purchasing the 9th edition Manager book, contact Amy Parker at [email protected] for the price list or a quote.
Career Connection Event
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) is looking for young adults from all areas of study to introduce them to career options in the food industry that they may never have considered.
The IDDBA is hosting the Career Connection Live on June 9 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. It’s a free, half-day event during our national food industry trade show, open to all areas of interest—business, marketing, engineering, tech, sustainability, and more. Students and their faculty advisors can network with professionals, explore career paths, and hear from a live Career Advice Panel.
CLICK HERE for the info flyer.
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 $600.
To qualify for an HII, the instructor must teach the ProStart curriculum during the 2025-2026 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!
Get 30% Off Crocs
The Crocs at Work Team has invited you and your ProStart students to take advantage of the Crocs at Work x ProStart Insider Program this year. THIS FLYER has the QR Code for the discount. The QR Code gives students and educators a 30% off Crocs at Work discount code which can be used on Crocs.com. All ProStart students and teachers are eligible.
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 Amy Parker to let her know and she will get you signed up for free!
The link below will provide you with additional information on CRP.