County schools swept their way to first-place finishes in the culinary skills and hospitality management categories at the recent Maryland ProStart Student Invitational, a competition which calls on students to showcase their skills against other programs across the state.
Arundel High School won the culinary competition, in which students had to create, cost out and prepare an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Amongst many meticulous rules, students had no running water, no electricity, two gas burners, and only one hour to create their masterpiece.
A team from Meade High School finished third in the culinary competition.
Northeast High School won the hospitality management competition, in which students had to create a new restaurant concept specifically focusing on creating and costing out a unique menu. They also had to design and staff the restaurant, develop a marketing plan, and answer questions in a 20-minute session from industry professionals on critical thinking regarding their concept.
ProStart which is a nationwide, two-year high school program. Students can remain in their comprehensive high school and enroll in Culinary Skills and Hospital Management courses ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-life experience opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime. Twelve county schools offer Culinary Skills and Hospitality Management as a completer program.
The winning teams from Arundel and Northeast will represent AACPS and Maryland at the National ProStart Invitational in Washington, D.C., in May.