ProStart Culinary Championships a Blazing Success

A record number of students from across Oregon gathered at the Oregon Convention Center on Saturday, February 23 to participate in the ProStart Culinary Championships held by the Oregon Restaurant Association. Over 200 students from 34 high schools assembled to mix, measure, sauté, and answer challenging industry questions in front of 2,500 energized audience members, making this event the largest and most exciting ProStart Competition to date.

Student teams of four had an hour to prepare a gourmet meal including a starter, entrée and dessert using just two butane burners, all under the watchful eye of professional judges. Twelve of the 34 high schools each had an additional team competing in the Western Culinary Institute Management Challenge, which included a case-study test and a “Jeopardy" style question-and-answer session.

Bend High School’s culinary team (Casey Anderson, Jackie Baird, Katelynn Cockrum, and Jordan Good) won first place in the Western Culinary Institute Management Challenge while South Salem High School’s team (Katrina Campbell, David Champion, Irina Shalashova, and Austin Stinson) took home the first place Culinary Cup awarded by Dick Boyd, co-CEO of Boyd Coffee Company. Topping the excitement, South Salem High School student Irina Shalashova was awarded the 2008 Unilever Foodsolutions Future Promise Award and $1000 toward secondary education of her choice. Each winning team will be heading to San Diego, CA on April 24-26 to take part in the ProStart National Competition.

Culinary Competition Winners (Boyd Coffee Cup):
1st place: South Salem High School
2nd place: Bend High School
3rd place: Tillamook High School

Management Challenge Winners (Western Culinary Institute):
1st place: Bend High School
2nd place: Willamette High School
3rd place: Dallas High School

Boyd Coffee Cup Choice Awards:
BEST STARTER: Bend High School
BEST ENTREE: South Salem High School
BEST DESSERT: McKay High School
BEST USE OF NORTHWEST INGREDIENTS: Bend High School
BEST PRESENTATION: Bend High School
BEST TEAM WORK: Bend High School

Western Culinary Institute Management Awards:

• Best Solution (4 winners in equal standing):
  • Bend High School
  • Dallas High School
  • Willamette High School
  • St. Helens High School

• Most Professional (4 winners in equal standing):
  • St. Helens High School
  • North Medford High School
  • Bend High School
  • Taft High School

• Knowledge Bowl:
  • 1st Place: Bend High School
  • 2nd Place: Willamette High School
  • 3rd Place: St. Helens High School

Mathew Slack of McKay High School in Salem received the “Mentor of the Year” award for his outstanding work and was given a new culinary knife set in recognition of his efforts. Pam Simpson of Taft High School in Lincoln City was named “Inspirational Leader of the Year” and was awarded a plaque and a set of knives to be used in her classroom. She and ORA ProStart Manager Misty Arrambide will travel to Chicago in May to be recognized at a national teacher luncheon.

While the students, teachers and mentors play a huge role in the program’s success, none of it would be possible without industry members and supporters such as the Oregon Restaurant Association, Boyd Coffee Company, Western Culinary Institute, and many more dedicating their time, effort and product to the event.

“I’m flabbergasted at the amount of time all of our volunteers are willing to give up for the students and their education,” said Oregon Restaurant Association ProStart Manager Misty Arrambide. “They don’t call us the hospitality industry for nothing.”

Industry sponsors Boyd Coffee Company, Western Culinary Institute, Aramark, Bargreen Ellingson, Benson Hotel, ChefWorks, Creative Center, Doubletree Lloyd Center, DWA Show Decorators, Embassy Suites Downtown, Heathman Hotel, Hilton Portland & Executive Towers, Mercer Cutlery, Portland Marriott City Center, Oregon Convention Center, Pacific Seafood, Red Lion Convention Center, Red Lion on the River, Royce’s Prop Shop, SimplexGrinnel, SYSCO Portland, Unilever Food Solutions, and Westin Portland provided assistance in making the evening possible through their support.

“We’re very pleased to participate as it fits so well into one of the elements of our creed, which is a contribution to a better community, and that includes education,” said Dick Boyd, co-CEO of Boyd Coffee Company and a presenting sponsor.

“We’re participating in the future of the foodservice industry.”

ProStart is a two-year curriculum designed to teach students the management skills needed for a career in the restaurant and foodservice industry. The students participate in paid internships and are mentored by industry managers. The ProStart Competition is an integral part of the program, challenging students involved to showcase the skills and knowledge learned both in the classroom and on the job.

To learn more about the ProStart Hospitality School-to-Career program, please visit http://www.ora.org/education/ProStart or contact Misty Arrambide, Oregon Restaurant Association ProStart Manager at 503-682-4422 or misty@ora.org