The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF), in conjunction with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), hosted the 17th Annual Louisiana ProStart® Student Invitational, February 26-27, 2018 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation was the title sponsor for the Culinary Competition and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers was the title sponsor for the Management Competition. The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation Culinary Competition showcased the culinary and creative talents of ProStart students from 22 high schools. The Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Management Competition featured the conceptual restaurant development and marketing ingenuity of ProStart students from eight high schools.
During the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation Culinary Competition, teams demonstrated their creative abilities through the preparation of a three-course, gourmet meal in 60 minutes. The winner of the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation Culinary Competition was: Hammond High Magnet School Instructor: Angie Drago Students: Sara Baiamonte, Andrew Cambre, Khloe Chen, Cade Kershentine and Trenton Oliphant Chef Mentor: Former Hammond ProStart students Bethany Armstrong and Savannah Hall Winning menu: Appetizer- egg yolk and mushroom ricotta stuffed ravioli; Entrée- Habanero and tamarind sticky spare ribs, apple fennel slaw, purple sweet potato puree, horseradish sauce and fennel pollen; and Dessert- white chocolate Bavarian, mixed nut nougatine, blackberry jam, pink lemon sorbet and fresh blackberries. Second place culinary: St. Charles Satellite Center, Luling Instructor: Patrick Phelan Students: Zoe Bell, Matthew Fink, Daizhan Price, Tranayshia Kenner and Katelyn Thomas Chef Mentor: Eli Wilson of Jacmel Inn in Hammond Third place culinary: West Feliciana High School, St. Francisville Instructor: Amy Dreher Students: Blane Coley, Nick Kent, Helen Davis, Reagan Edwards and Kacey Kile Chef Mentor: Daniel Dreher of Fresh Kitchen in Baton Rouge Fourth place culinary: Ascension Parish ProStart, Geismer Instructor: Traci Hymel Students: Sarah Chiasson, Jacqueline LeGrange, Rebecca Lilly, Jervey Cheveallier and Megan Little Chef Mentor: Jordan McClellan Fifth place culinary: St. James Parish Career and Technology Center, Lutcher Instructor: Rachael Schexnayder Students: Taylor Ferchaud, Elizabeth Springstead, Odyssey Peterson, Whitney Adams and Gretchen Borne Chef Mentor: Personal Chef Tasha Clement Teams participating in the Raising Cane’s Management Competition demonstrated their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry by developing a restaurant concept, including the menu, design, budget and marketing strategies, which they presented to a panel of judges as an entrepreneur would pitch to a group of investors. The winner of the Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Management Competition was: West Feliciana High School, St. Francisville Instructor: Amy Dreher Students: Lora Lathrop, Caroline Smith, Lilly Ray, Marleigh Jaenel and Amelia Percy Winning restaurant concept: Caroline’s Sandwiches and More, an airport café that offers a healthy take on a variety of America’s favorite sandwiches, wraps and salads. Second place management: Academy of Our Lady, Marrero Instructor: Tracie Comeaux Students: Helen Kassahun, Chelsey Termine, Hannah Mauduit, Katelynn Nguyen and Katie Warrington Third place management: Hammond High Magnet School Instructor: Angie Drago Students: Kiara Smith, Olivia Bottolfs and Kearstin Foster Fourth place management: Springfield High School Instructor: Carol Tate Students: Breanna Fletcher, Stephany Roberson, Jamie Moody, Shea Hunt Fifth place management: North Vermilion High School, Maurice Instructor: Daphne Smith Students: Makenzi Williams, Shainie Stelly, Tommy Stelly, Jenna Boutte and Lionel Willis Hammond High Magnet School and West Feliciana High School will represent Louisiana in the National ProStart Invitational in Providence, Rhode Island, April 27-29, 2018, where they will compete for more than $1 million in additional scholarship dollars. Schools were also recognized for their individual achievements in various categories within the two competitions. Culinary:
Management:
The 2018 LRAEF ProStart Student Invitational Sponsors are: Louisiana Hospitality Foundation- Culinary Competition Sponsor, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers- Management Competition Sponsor, TABASCO®- Opening Ceremony Sponsor, Centerplate- In-Kind Competition Meal Sponsor, PJ’s Coffee- Competition Meal Sponsor, Faux Pas Prints- Competition T-Shirt Sponsor, Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar- Competition Apparel Sponsor. Special thanks to Coca-Cola, Freeman Decorating and New Orleans Morial Convention Center. The 2018 LRAEF Annual Partners are: Five Diamond: Acme Oyster House, Auto-Chlor System, Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Louisiana Hospitality Foundation and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers; Four Diamond: Performance Foodservice Caro; Three Diamond: Baton Rouge Epicurean Society and Delaware North; Two Diamond: Louisiana Gas Association; and One Diamond: Katie’s Restaurant and Patrick J. Gros, CPA. The LRAEF would also like to thank the nine chapters of the LRA for their support throughout the year. ProStart is a nationwide, two-year culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant industry leaders. By uniting the classroom and the industry, ProStart gives students a platform to discover new interests and talents and opens doors for fulfilling careers. Students are required to complete a 400-hour work internship, thus providing hands-on training. ProStart is important because it provides a pathway to a student’s future success, providing a foundation for a variety of career choices—from management and culinary operations, to supply chain positions and marketing support. The possibilities are endless in an industry with many facets. Many LRA members serve as mentors to ProStart students and also hire them. Comments are closed.
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