PRLA Restaurant & Lodging Matters Spring 2021

2021 Pennsylvania ProStart Virtual Invitational THE PENNSYLVANIA PROSTART INVITATIONAL was held virtually in 2021, with 38 students from eight secondary schools across Pennsylvania putting their skills to the test in culinary arts and restaurant management competitions. All of the student competitors rose to the challenge of this year’s virtual format, and we thank teachers, school districts, volunteer judges, and sponsors for helping to make it happen. For the culinary competition, teams were tasked with developing a three-course meal—submitting a written proposal complete with recipes, costing, a production timeline, and more, as well as submitting a video of the team preparing and presenting their meal in their school’s kitchen. Teams participated in a virtual feedback session with a panel of industry judges. For the management competition, teams prepared a business proposal for a unique restaurant concept, including marketing, menu development and costing, operations plan, and more. Teams presented their concepts via video conference to a panel of industry judges, and responded to critical thinking questions about real life operational issues that restaurant owners can face. The schools participating in this year’s competition were: • Central Westmoreland Career & Technology Center (New Stanton) • Crawford County Career & Technical Center (Meadville) • Eastern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center (Latrobe) • Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center (Johnstown) • Greene County Career & Technology Center (Waynesburg) • Octorara High School (Atglen) • Milton Hershey School (Hershey) • Northumberland County Career & Technology Center (Coal Township) 