Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center and Asheville High School High School Advance to 2026 National ProStart Competition

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 9, 2026) – North Carolina’s next generation of hospitality professionals took center stage March 8–9 as five teams from four high schools competed in the North Carolina ProStart Invitational (NCPI), hosted by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Foundation (NCRLAF) at the Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport.

The competition is part of ProStart, a high school and technical education program focused on culinary arts and restaurant management. Developed by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF), the program combines classroom instruction with industry experience to prepare students for careers in the hospitality industry. Alongside the team events, students also competed in individual skill competitions spanning knife skills, cake decorating, napkin folding, mocktail mixology, chicken fabrication, and sandwich preparation.

In the culinary competition, teams prepare a three-course meal in just 60 minutes using only two butane burners — without access to running water or electricity — testing their technical skills, timing, and teamwork. In the management competition, students develop and present a full business proposal for an original restaurant concept, including menu design, restaurant layout, and marketing strategy.

The Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center in Jacksonville captured first place in the culinary competition, while Asheville High School earned first place in the management competition. Supported by Presenting Sponsor Golden Corral, the event gave students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills before chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality leaders from across the state.

Both winning teams will advance to the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, April 24–26, where they will compete against top programs from across the country. Participating students also gain access to more than $360,000 in scholarships offered through the program.

Special recognition was also awarded throughout the competition. Mya DeLeon of the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center was honored for her resilience, and August Guntis of Asheville High School was recognized as Best Team Manager. Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center received The Seals Award for Safety & Sanitation. Asheville High School earned recognition from Relay for Communication, from Golden Corral for Innovation, and was also celebrated for outstanding Presentation Skills and Critical Thinking.

In addition to the student competition, Joseph Quispe of the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center in Onslow County was named North Carolina’s Educator of Excellence and will be recognized at the national competition in Baltimore.