Washington DC – North Carolina was represented by two outstanding teams from Independence High School in Charlotte and Asheville High School in Asheville—both winners of the North Carolina ProStart Invitational—at the National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) this week at the Washington Hilton in Washington D.C. The Independence High School team competed in the culinary competition, while the Asheville High School team competed in the management competition.
The invitational, hosted by the National Restaurant Association’s Education Foundation, featured 92 teams of student competitors from 46 states who put their skills to the test in front of industry leaders, NRAEF Trustees, state restaurant associations, and family and friends, with hopes of earning coveted scholarships from the nation’s best culinary and restaurant management programs.
The top five teams from the culinary and management competitions were awarded generous educational scholarships to help further their careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. In 2022, more than $200,000 in scholarships were awarded to winning students.
The culinary competition challenged students to prepare a three-course meal in just 60 minutes, using only two butane burners, and without access to running water or electricity. In the management competition, teams developed a business proposal for an original restaurant concept and presented it to industry judges.
North Carolina was also represented by Chef Sara Monson of Asheville High School, who was named the 2023 NC ProStart Educator of Excellence. This honor is awarded each year to recognize educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and passion, commitment, and creativity in all aspects of the ProStart program.
“We are incredibly proud of our two exceptional teams from North Carolina who represented our state at this year’s National ProStart Invitational,” said Lynn Minges, president and CEO of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA). “These students worked incredibly hard to get here, and we are thrilled with their performance. We also want to thank our Team NC sponsors, including presenting sponsor Golden Corral, travel sponsor Employers, and uniform sponsors Pepsi, Pinehurst Resort, and the US Coast Guard.”
For more information about the National ProStart Invitational, visit their website at www.nraef.org/npsionline.
