ProStart Program

The South Carolina ProStart students at G. Frank Russell Technology Center had an incredible guest chef experience when Chef & Restaurant Co-owner Brandon Velie of Juniperlicious paid a visit to RTC Chef Hancock's classroom! 🍽️

Students got hands-on with an exclusive cooking demo, mastering high-end Southern culinary techniques to prepare Adluh Flour Grit Arancini with Flash Fried WP Rawl Farms Collards and Tomato Coulis.

Talk about taking kitchen skills to the next level! Huge thanks to Chef Velie for inspiring the next generation of hospitality leaders. 🙌🔥

This year's ProStart JumpStart grant winners experienced an unforgettable weekend at the 2026 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show — gaining hands-on industry insight, making meaningful connections, and getting inspired by the endless possibilities ahead. 👨‍🍳🍽️

Big thanks to our partners including Nestlé Professional, Ecolab, The Coca-Cola Company, RATIONAL AG, Testo North America, Sterno Products, and PepsiCo.

Big flavors, live music, and even bigger talent at this year’s Bites & Beats. 🎶

Congratulations to the incredible ProStart students from HospitalityMaine and California Restaurant Association, who brought their winning food truck concepts to life at The Salt Shed in Chicago during the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show — showcasing the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that ProStart helps inspire.

Thank you to Ecolab for continuing to support this amazing event each year, and to Max McNown and Elizabeth Nichols for an unforgettable performance. 👏

Our ProStart Jumpstart grant winners took over at the National Restaurant Association Show!

We hit the show floor to explore what’s next in foodservice innovation and connect with key industry partners.

Big thanks to our partners including Nestlé, Ecolab, The Coca-Cola Company, RATIONAL United States, Testo North America, Sterno Products, and PepsiCo.

Big ideas, strong connections, and plenty of inspiration! 💡

Brian Mercer Kansas City/Northland Community & Education Advocate ProStart students are getting ready for the FIFA World Cup early, and with a little something sweet! 🧁⚽

ProStart students participated in a Cupcake Wars activity to celebrate Kansas City as a host city for this year's competition.

The future of the industry has officially arrived in the Windy City! 🏙️🍕

Our ProStart JumpStart grant winners have touched down in Chicago for the 2026 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show! Thanks to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, this lucky group of students is getting an all-access, immersive look at the heartbeat of the hospitality world.

Your support of the ProStart program and NPSI is what makes dreams like this a reality. Thank you for helping us shape a strong, skilled, and inspired restaurant workforce! 👨‍🍳

Stay tuned all weekend long for behind-the-scenes looks at their Chicago adventure! 🎥✨

Fortuna High School Culinary students knocked it out of the park for their last big catering gig of the season: the Teacher Appreciation party at HCOE! 🍎🎉

Way to go, students! What a way to wrap up a busy year on a delicious high note.

📸: fortunahighculinaryarts (IG)

The culinary students from Daniel Morgan Technology Center took center stage at the SC Restaurant & Lodging Association Hospitality Day at the Statehouse, serving up a masterclass in South Carolina flavor for over 1,000 guests—including our state lawmakers!

Cooking for a crowd of 1,000 is no small feat, but these students handled the pressure with professional poise. It’s amazing to see our ProStart talent showcasing the strength and skill of the next generation of hospitality leaders. 👨‍🍳

From hand-rolled dough to the perfect twist! 🥨🍝

The students at Ben Barber Innovation Academy and Frontier STEM Academy are mastering the art of fresh pasta and traditional soft pretzels requires patience, precision, and a whole lot of flour! It’s amazing to watch these ProStart students transform simple ingredients into culinary staples.

📸: bbiacc (IG)