Students Feel the Heat at ProStart Competition

Students from across Oregon demonstrated their culinary talent at the ProStart Culinary Championships held Saturday, February 23. Over 2,500 guests gathered at the Oregon Convention Center to watch 212 students from 34 Oregon high schools chop, sauté, and answer challenging industry questions, each team battling to secure seats at the National ProStart Championships in San Diego.

Under the watchful eye of professional judges, student teams of four had an hour to prepare a gourmet meal including a starter, entrée and dessert using just two butane burners. 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 won first place in the Western Culinary Institute Management Challenge while South Salem High School took home the first place Culinary Cup awarded by Dick Boyd, co-CEO of Boyd Coffee Company, a presenting sponsor. 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.

Boyds Coffee Culinary Cup Awards:

• 1st place, South Salem High School- traveling to San Diego, CA for Nationals on April 24-26
• 2nd place, Bend High School
• 3rd place, Tillamook High School

Western Culinary Institute Management Challenge

• 1st place, Bend High School - traveling to San Diego, CA for Nationals on April 24-26
• 2nd place, Willamette High School
• 3rd place, Dallas High School

Boyds Coffee Culinary Cup Judges 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 Challenge Judges Choice 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:
  • Bend High School
  • Willamette High School
  • St. Helens High School

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.

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.

Thank You To Our Generous Industry Sponsors

With out them this event would not be possible!

Presenting Sponsors:

Supporting Contributors:

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.

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