2026
ORLANDO – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) proudly announces the winners of the annual high school ProStart Culinary Team Competition.
Last weekend, more than 330 students from nearly 40 Florida high schools competed in Culinary, Management, Edible Centerpiece, and Waiter’s Relay events at the 25th annual ProStart event. At the Salute to Excellence Award ceremony, winners were offered more than $2.1 million in scholarships from the Culinary Institute of America, Culinary Institute of Virginia, Florida International University, Keiser University, Nicholls State University, and UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality. First place teams in culinary and management will represent Florida at the national ProStart Invitational in Washington, D.C. this April.
“For more than 25 years, this competition has taken students beyond the classroom and into the real-world process of creating a restaurant concept from start to finish,” said Laura Rumer, Director of the FRLA Educational Foundation. “From market research and branding to financials, menu development, and marketing strategy, these teams demonstrate the kind of creativity, discipline, and professionalism our industry depends on. Each year, we are inspired by the depth of talent and the educators who help guide these students toward meaningful careers in hospitality.”
“These competitions are more than an event; they are an investment in the future of Florida’s hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, President & CEO of FRLA. “By connecting students with real-world business challenges and industry mentors, we are building the next generation of culinary innovators, restaurant operators, and hospitality leaders. As our state’s economy continues to rely on a strong tourism and hospitality industry, programs like ProStart ensure that passionate, well-trained talent is ready to lead it forward. Florida is proud to host the largest ProStart program in the nation, and we look forward to cheering on these top winners at the national competition this spring.”
These events would not be possible without the support of our Global Sponsors: Keiser University, National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Universal Orlando, St. Thomas University, the World Equestrian Center, and Fresh From Florida. Event sponsors include Ecolab, Florida Atlantic University, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, and the Florida State University Dedman College of Hospitality.
25th ANNUAL FLORIDA PROSTART COMPETITION WINNERS:
OVERALL WINNERS
1st Place Strawberry Crest High School (Dover): Instructor Paul Bonanno
2nd Place St. Lucie West Centennial High School (Port St. Lucie): Instructor Christina Gedke-Balaschak
3rd Place Martin County High School (Stuart): Instructor Ashley Sesta
3rd Place Lyman High School (Longwood): Instructor Dane Brevoort
4th Place Wekiva High School (Apopka): Instructor Christopher Bates
5th Place George Jenkins High School (Lakeland): Instructor Sherry Scott
KEISER UNIVERSITY CULINARY COMPETITION
1st Place Strawberry Crest High School (Dover): Riley Clark, Brinley Miranda, Ethan Weisenritter, Jessie Andrew, and Samantha Chung, Instructor Paul Bonanno
2nd Place St. Lucie West Centennial High School (Port St. Lucie): Janiyah Henry, Brandon Benzer, Azzi Lemma, and Christopher Balladares, Instructor Christina Gedke-Balaschak
3rd Place Martin County High School (Stuart): Jimmy Baker, Alexandra Benoit, Barry Carson, Jacque Cruz, and Kindra Browning, Instructor Ashley Sesta
4th Place Ridgeview High School (Orange Park): Cole Alessi, Gavin Emile, Ricky Huang, and Colton Johnston, Instructor Amy LaPierre
5th Place JP Taravella High School (Coral Springs): Josselyn DeArmas, Kiana Lisboa, Meital Pavolotzky, and Chyanne VanWinkle, Instructor Scott Goodman
UCF ROSEN COLLEGE OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT COMPETITION
1st Place Strawberry Crest High School (Dover): Toby Highsmith, Macey Riley, Dayana Hernandez, Abigail Emin, and Pooja Gopinathrao, Instructor Paul Bonanno
2nd Place Wekiva High School (Apopka): Parker Masangkay, Zariah Edwards, and Amina Ali, Instructor Christopher Bates
3rd Place Martin County High School (Stuart): Sophia Garcia, Jennifer Sanchez, Zoey Krisel, Claire Richter, and Monica Sanchez, Instructor Ashley Sesta
4th Place Durant High School (Plant City): Kylie Byerwalters, Anna Sneed, Andrew Johnston, Kaitlyn Black, and Ethan Mettler, Instructor Ralph Underwood
5th Place South Lake High School (Groveland): Noelix Hernandez, Alicia Beepath, Bobby Alonso, Amani Cintron, and Leabelle Popovich, Instructor John Thunberg
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO EDIBLE CENTERPIECE COMPETITION
1st Place Denisse Sarria Tuero, St. Lucie West Centennial (Port St. Lucie), Instructor Christina Gedke-Balaschak
2nd Place London Hernandez, Lyman High School (Longwood), Instructor Dane Brevoort
3rd Place Mischa Davies, South Lake High School (Groveland), Instructor John Thunberg
4th Place Ester Avelar, Strawberry Crest High School (Dover), Instructor Paul Bonanno
5th Place Summer Hudson Moffett, Horizon High School (Winter Garden), Instructor Tiffany Rogers
WAITERS RELAY COMPETITION
1st Place George Jenkins High School (Lakeland): Reese Yungbluth, Jaidyn Lewis, and Colin Hanger, Instructor Sherry Scott
2nd Place MAST Academy (Key Biscayne): Sofia Guananja, Angelina Salvador, and Gretha Martinez, Instructor Eida Delafuente
3rd Place Winter Park High School (Winter Park): Aiden Whitely, Joshua Loomis, Tomasz Bello Hoffman, Instructor Christine Whitlow
4th Place Lyman High School (Longwood): Riely Morales, Santiago Rodriguez-Hurtado, and Julian Daube, Instructor Dane Brevoort
5th Place Ridgeview High School (Orange Park): Andreya Comer, Yuri Demeterio, and Kendall Cala, Instructor Amy LaPierre
2026 FRLAEF Scholarship Application Open
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
NRAEF & AHLEI Scholarships Available
NRAEF Scholarship application is open. The deadline to apply is March 15. CLICK HERE for the application page and info.
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Scholarships is open. The deadline to apply is March 23. CLICK HERE for the landing page and info.
Please note, these scholarships are separate from each other and different than the FRLAEF scholarships. Between the FRLAEF, NRAEF and AHLEI there are a total of three different scholarship opportunities.
Fresh from Florida
Hello ProStart Teachers! It is a great time to work “Fresh From Florida” seafood into your program planning and personal enjoyment! 
- March is a delicious time to keep things light, bright, and satisfying, and Florida waters deliver. From briny oysters and sweet clams to flaky grouper and delicate flounder, Florida seafood is easy to prepare with simple flavors that let it shine.
- When you’re shopping for Florida oysters and clams, look for shells that are tightly closed (or close when tapped) and feel heavy for their size which reflects that they are full of natural juices. For fresh grouper and flounder, choose fillets that look moist (not dry or dull), smell clean like the ocean, and feel firm to the touch—not soft or mushy. If you’re buying whole fish: clear eyes and bright, red gills are your best cues.
- There are so many ways to enjoy the bounty of Florida’s waters! From dips to soups, salads, boards and entrees, seafood is versatile and brings the flavors of Florida home. Try this Florida Smoked Salmon Dip, or warm up with Florida Fish, Sweet Corn and Smoked Sausage Chowder. A simple Roasted Lemon and Herb Florida Snapper or Florida Orange Glazed Shrimp recipe feature a fresh and uncomplicated main course. A “Fresh From Florida” seafood charcuterie board is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and an impressive option as well.
- Check out this fresh videofor Florida Oysters Rockefeller, it will be a hit with any oyster lover!
- Florida seafood is great with almost any condiment. These sauces are a delicious complement! Try a Smoky Cocktail Sauce or a Florida Mango Mignonette to enhance your recipes.
Pro Tip: Keep seafood at its best by keeping it cold. Ask for it packed on ice, then refrigerate as soon as you get it into a cooler. Store fish in the coldest part of the unit and cook within 1–2 days. For shellfish, store them in a breathable container (like a bowl) covered with a damp towel — never sealed in an airtight bag — and don’t store them in fresh water.
This is also a great time to explain to students the importance of correct shellfish storage and handling should they move on to a position within the restaurant industry.
Florida seafood is always available! Some species are seasonal, so be mindful of that when preparing your seafood dishes. Support “Fresh From Florida” seafood fishers and aquaculture farmers and look for the logo when purchasing!
Here’s to starting the year with fresh Florida flavor—one bright, coastal bite at a time. Be sure to tag @FreshFromFlorida when you share your seafood creations.
Happy Cooking,
Chef Justin
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!
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.