DURHAM, NC – Earlier this month, 10 teams of high-schoolers from six high schools in North Carolina put their culinary and management skills to the test at the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Foundation’s (NCRLAF) annual ProStart Invitational (NCPI).
Team members from Asheville High School won the management and culinary competitions, and Debbie Sturgill from Ashe County High School was named North Carolina’s Educator of Excellence. East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte was the culinary competition runner-up, and Cary High School took second place in management.
“As North Carolina’s hospitality industry continues to grow, it is imperative that we invest in aspiring culinary and hospitality professionals,” said Lynn Minges, President and CEO of NCRLA and NCRLA Foundation. “The teams that competed this year demonstrated incredible creativity and innovation, and we are eager to watch the winners move on to represent our state as they compete with teams from across the country at the National ProStart Invitational.”
Students competed at North Carolina Central University’s Student Union on March 14-15, in front of hospitality and management industry leaders, family and friends with the hopes of moving on to the National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) competition put on by the National Restaurant Association April 26-28 in Baltimore.
In addition to moving on to the national competition, first and second place team members also can choose from more than $560,000 in scholarships from universities and culinary institutes in the state and across the country.
The event was made possible in partnership with Presenting Sponsor Golden Corral, which is headquartered in Raleigh with nearly 400 company-owned and operated restaurants in 42 states.
“Golden Corral knows that it’s never been more important to provide high school students with the opportunity to discover new interests and get hands-on training in the hospitality industry,” said Lance Trenary, president and CEO of Golden Corral Corporation. “By bringing the industry and classroom together, the ProStart competition gives students the opportunity to make lifelong connections and develop skills that will help them be more successful. It is inspiring to see the impact that ProStart has on these future leaders of our industry.”
Other Sustaining Industry Partners of NCPI include Ecolab, Employers and US Foods.
About the Competition
Students in the culinary competition had to design, prepare and serve a three-course meal (starter, an entrée with a vegetable or starch and dessert) using only two butane burners in 60 minutes. Judged by a panel of certified chefs using industry standards, the teams prepared a gourmet meal without electricity, running water or outside assistance. Asheville High School’s winning menu consisted of frenched frog legs, pan seared rainbow trout, and hot honey cake.
Students in the management competition had to prepare and present a restaurant concept, menu and marketing plan to an exclusive panel of judges. Students presented their ideas and participated in an intense question and answer segment. Asheville High School took first place in this competition with their winning Italian-inspired Appalachian concept, Foraggio.
NCPI’s 2024 Educator of Excellence
In addition to student recognition this year, NCRLA nominated Debbie Sturgill from Ashe County High School for ProStart’s National Educator of Excellence Award. The National Restaurant Association Education Foundation ProStart National Educator of Excellence Awards (EEA) recognize educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and passion, commitment and creativity in all aspects of the ProStart program to help their students make the most of the opportunities that ProStart offers.
Ms. Sturgill will be recognized amongst her peers from participating states at the national competition in Baltimore where one of them will be named the EEA James H. Maynard Teacher of the Year. Established over a decade ago as a tribute to Golden Corral’s founder, James Maynard, the award honors one EEA winner for their tireless dedication to providing remarkable experiences to their ProStart students. The annual honoree receives a gift of $10,000.
2024 NCPI Results
The following teams competed in the management and culinary divisions of the competition:
2024 NCPI Winning Culinary Teams
- First Place: Asheville High School, Asheville
- Second Place: East Mecklenburg High School, Charlotte
Other Competing Culinary Teams:
- Eastern NC Regional Skills Center, Jacksonville
- Wakefield High School, Raleigh
2024 NCPI Winning Management Teams
- First Place: Asheville High School, Asheville
- Second Place: Cary High School, Cary
Other Competing Management Teams:
- Ashe County High School, West Jefferson
- East Mecklenburg High School, Charlotte
- Wakefield High School, Raleigh
For photos of the winning teams, click here. For more information about the North Carolina ProStart program, please contact us.
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About NCPI
NCPI is a high-stakes culinary arts and restaurant management competition organized by the association’s philanthropic arm, North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Education Foundation.
About ProStart
ProStart is a nationwide, two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s industry leaders. It happens through a curriculum that teaches all facets of the restaurant and foodservice industry, inspires students to succeed, and sets a high standard of excellence for students and the industry.
The ProStart program is used in more than 1,800 high schools in 50 states, Guam and on US military bases, reaching nearly 165,000 secondary students annually. Many post-secondary schools in the nation recognize ProStart’s Certificate of Achievement, which is awarded to students who complete both levels of the program and at least 400 hours of work experience and reward them with credit toward their degree programs.
