Anyone for some healthy competition!

The ProStart program sponsors an intense annual event that challenges all the concepts and practices you will learn.

The 2009 Carolinas ProStart Student Invitational, is scheduled for January 26-27, 2009 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Click to view pictures from last year's competition!

"BEEN THERE-DONE THAT!" (But is there a t-shirt?) Read some testimonials from the students who have been and what it meant to them!

ALEX GONZALEZ - SENIOR (pictured far right)> The Newport Harbor H.S. Culinary Team prepared their award-winning dessert (Croquembouche En Cercle—gingered pastry cream with nougatine and fresh raspberries) on stage with Chef Tommy Tang at the California Restaurant Show. The team took second place honors in Charlotte (NPSI 2007). Team member Alex Gonzales (far right), a senior this year, is hoping to represent his state again in 2008. If he succeeds—and you do, too—look for him in San Diego!!

SCOTT SCHNEIDER (with trophy)> “It sounds strange to say it, but NPSI really isn’t about winning. It’s about doing your best, learning a lot and fueling your dreams. Don’t focus so much on winning that you don’t enjoy the experience of being there. And remember to celebrate how how much you’ve learned.” --Victoria Bigler, (left) was at NPSI 2005 in Orlando and is currently working at a restaurant in the Westchester area, 40 miles from New York City. “It’s not just about the food. The most important things I learned while preparing for competition are key points on the job: communication, organization and speed.” Scott competed at NPSI 2005 and is attending the CIA in Hyde Park, NY.

TYLER MOCK> “Hard work, practice and more practice are the way to succeed in competition. The speed and agility I developed as a result of all that practice has helped me a lot on the job. And my chef will be glad to know one of the most valuable things I took from competition was knowing how to calculate food costs.” Tyler is currently working as a Sous Chef at the River Mill Event Center in Columbus, Ohio. Tyler and his teammates competed in Orlando (NPSI 2004) after winning the Ohio ProStart competition.

JAMIE HORNBY (far left)> “Celebrate being there and enjoy the experience! I made a lot of friends in Charlotte (NPSI 2006). And I got to meet Guy Fieri, the Food Network Star. But the best thing to happen to me was earning my ProStart Certificate. ” Jamie will begin her studies at the New England Culinary Institute in December, thanks, in part, to scholarships she received through ProStart.

NICOLE TURZA> “Winning was great! But it was just as exciting to discover how much it has helped me in college. I recognize and understand a lot of terms and concepts my professors discuss because we covered them in practices.” Nicole and her teammates won back-to-back Management championships in Denver (NPSI 2003) and Orlando (NPSI 2004). Nicole is attending Johnson and Wales University. She worked at the Ballentine Resort and the Hilton Hotel in Charlotte and was recently recruited by the Blake Hotel for their Front Desk Supervisor position.

MATT EVANS> (second from left) “Competing in Charlotte (NPSI 2006) was big confidence boost for me. Learning to stay focused while working in front of all those top chefs helped me to handle it when my chef watches me now. At the CIA we had costing exams and, because of doing it for competition, I knew more than most of the people in my class.” Matt is currently attending the CIA and completing his externship in a restaurant in Massachusetts.

RUSSELL ASHTON> (third from left) “The best part of competing was the great chefs who judged our work. Getting critiqued from them was an awesome experience. The best part of ProStart is all the support you get from industry. There are a lot of people out there who’ll help you succeed if you want it and are willing to work for it. I’ve already worked in DC and in Chicago, at Charlie Trotter’s!” Russell is attending the CIA. He and his teammates won third place in Charlotte (NPSI 2007).