Bend Takes First Place at State ProStart Competition

February 12, 2010 – Wilsonville, OR

Students from across Oregon demonstrated their culinary talent at the Oregon Restaurant Association's ProStart Culinary Championships held Saturday, February 6, 2010. Hundreds of guests gathered at the Portland Expo Center to watch over 100 students from 28 Oregon high schools chop, sauté, and assemble gourmet meals, each team battling to secure their spot at the National ProStart Championships.

Under the watchful eye of professional judges, student teams of four had an hour to prepare a composed meal including a starter, entrée and dessert using just two butane burners. Teams were scored on the taste and presentation of their meals; as well as for teamwork, organization and safe food handling practices.

Bend High School won first place taking home the first place Culinary Cup, awarded by Dick Boyd, Chairman of Boyd Coffee Company, the competitions’ presenting sponsor. Bend’s winning menu started with a seafood trio appetizer that included a prosciutto wrapped sea scallop with blood orange caviar. Pistachio crusted polenta and a colorful root bundle set the stage for seared duck breast with cranberry-merlot reduction as the main course. Bend’s award winning dessert featured a triple layer panna cotta atop almond nougatine and garnished with an Oregon berry sauce.

Adding to Bend High School’s accolades, student Katelynn Cockrum was awarded the 2010 Unilever Foodsolutions Future Promise Award and a $1000 scholarship toward post-secondary education of her choice. Through kind sponsorship by Bon Appétit Management Company, the winning team will be heading to Overland Park, KS on April 30th – May 2nd to take part in the ProStart National Student Invitational.

Boyds Coffee Cup Culinary Competition Winners
OVERALL CULINARY WINNERS:
1st place, Bend High School
2nd place, Willamette High School
3rd place, South Salem High School
4th place, Colton High School
5th place, Century High School

Todd Wieweck of South Salem High School was named “Inspirational Leader of the Year” and was awarded a set of Mercer knives to be used in his classroom, as well as a weekend getaway at the Oregon coast. Wieweck and ORA ProStart Manager Jami Scott will travel to Chicago, Illinois in May where Todd will be recognized at a national teacher luncheon.

Sean Baldwin of Pilot Butte Drive-In received the “Mentor of the Year” award for his outstanding work with Bend High School, and will receive a weekend stay and dinner in Cannon Beach, OR.

The event was made possible by industry sponsors: Boyds Coffee Company, Le Cordon Blue College of Culinary Arts, Bon Appétit Management Company, Oregon Culinary Institute, Northwest Culinary Institute, Art Institute Portland, Aramark, Bargreen Ellingson, ChefWorks, Spirit Mountain Casino, DWA Show Decorators, Mercer Cutlery, SimplexGrinnell, Portland Expo Center, Unilever Food Solutions, US Foodservice NW, Benson Hotel, Crowne Plaza Lake Oswego, Hilton Portland & Executive Towers, Martin Hospitality, Portland Marriott City Center, Red Lion Convention Center, Red Lion on the River, and Westin Portland, who provided assistance in making the competition possible through their support.

ProStart is a two-year curriculum designed to teach students the culinary and management skills needed for a career in the restaurant and foodservice industry. Students participate in paid internships where they are mentored by industry managers. Oregon’s ProStart program is sponsored by long time ProStart supporter Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. This annual sponsorship allows teachers and students to participate in professional development opportunities in addition to the Culinary Competition.

To learn more about the ProStart Hospitality School-to-Career program, please visit www.ora.org/education/ProStart/index.html or contact Jami Scott, Oregon Restaurant Association ProStart Manager at 503-682-4422 or jami@ora.org.