Pennsylvania ProStart

Congratulations to 27 culinary students from Monroe Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) who have earned the ProStart® National Certificate of Achievement (COA)! 👏🤩

Earning this certificate is no small feat. These students passed both the National Restaurant Association's Year 1 and Year 2 exams and completed 400 hours of mentored work experience—demonstrating real-world commitment to their craft.

What this achievement means:
✔️ Industry-recognized foundation in culinary and restaurant management skills
✔️ Cross-trained in front-of-house and back-of-house operations
✔️ Access to scholarships, college credits, and work experience recognition at 60+ colleges and universities

To our MCTI ProStart graduates—your hard work, dedication, and passion for this industry shine through. You are ready to hit the ground running, and the future of hospitality is bright with talent like yours. We can't wait to see where your journey takes you!

🎓 ProStart students: did you know that earning the ProStart COA earns you college credits and/or scholarships at post-secondary culinary and hospitality programs across the U.S.? Check out the 2026 ProStart Passport to learn more: (link in comments)

Congratulations to Clarion County Career Center Chef-Instructor Randy Shook on a well-deserved retirement! 👏 Thank you for your years of dedication and commitment to developing the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals as a Pennsylvania ProStart educator. 💚

Randy Shook - Thank you for your 20 years of dedicated service as the Culinary Arts & Hospitality Instructor and SkillsUSA Advisor at the Career Center. You will be missed!

Throwback to last month, when Franklin Towne Charter HS Culinary Arts students got the chance to prepare their competition dishes in front of industry professionals at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. Unfortunately, Franklin Towne Charter was unable to attend the 2026 Pennsylvania ProStart Invitational in February due to weather-related issues.

The menu included:
1️⃣ Appetizer - Griddled apple & squash salad with blueberry maple dressing
2️⃣ Entrée - Pan seared duck breast w/ Wojape Maple glaze, Savory Blue corn porridge & sauteed squash
3️⃣ Dessert - Fry bread with Wojape sauce, fresh ricotta & Fruit

Thank you to Walnut Hill Executive V.P. David Morrow, Chef Instructor Akita Brooks, and the entire Walnut Hill College team for opening their kitchen to allow these talented students to showcase their hard work and see their menu come to life!

Thank you Barley Creek Brewing Company for supporting your local Pennsylvania ProStart students at Monroe Career and Technical Institute (MCTI)! 👏🧑‍🍳

After 30 incredible years at Lebanon County Career & Technology Center, Baking & Pastry Arts Instructor Chef Brian Peffley and Culinary Arts Instructor Chef Robert Corle Jr. are hanging up their aprons.

Over three decades, Chefs Peffley and Corle shaped the futures of countless students, pouring their passion and expertise into Lebanon County CTC's culinary and baking programs. Their support of PA ProStart has helped elevate our program and inspire the next generation of culinary professionals.

Congratulations, Chefs—thank you for your leadership, your tireless dedication to your students, and everything you've given to this industry. Wishing you both the very best in your next chapters! 🎉👨‍🍳

🥓 PA Pork x Pennsylvania ProStart Spring Bacon Challenge 🥓 The competition was sizzling, and the votes are in! Congratulations to our winners:

🔥 PA Pork Council pick: Forbes Road Career & Technology Center's "Double Pig Pasta" - Bacon cream Sauce tossed with gemelli pasta, Pork Chop wrapped in bacon, glazed with Cajun honey butter, garnished with chopped pancetta

🔥Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation Board pick: Forbes Road CTC's "Baby-back Croquette" - Slow cooked baby back ribs shredded with a mixture of mashed potato, bacon, and cheddar; deep fried and served alongside homemade BBQ sauce and a creamy chipotle aioli

🔥Social Media Fan Favorite *TIE*:
Central Westmoreland CTC's Grilled Bacon Poppers AND Mon Valley Career & Technology Center's Sweet & Spicy Bacon-wrapped grilled shrimp

Thank you to PA Pork for sponsoring this challenge, and to all of the students who participated! 👏

Awesome experience!

EDIT: VOTING CLOSED | 🥓 The Bacon Battle is ON! 🔥 We teamed up with PA Pork for a spring bacon challenge. Vote now for your favorite dish! 🗳️

These talented young chefs created mouthwatering dishes using bacon—and YOUR vote could win them a $50 Amazon gift card.

How to vote? Simple! ⬇️
Just like or react to the photo of your favorite dish in this post.
⏰ Voting ends at midnight on Sunday, May 10th.