PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Convention Center had the look of a food reality TV show over the weekend including a big-money jackpot and national celebrities on hand.
This was no TV show. It was a real-life competition – the National ProStart Invitational, the country’s premier secondary-school competition focused on restaurant management and culinary arts. The Invitational with representatives from nearly every state opened Friday. The Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation hosted the event with the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation.
Annually, nearly 400 student competitors on school teams put their skills to the test. Two teams competed from Rhode Island. A team of chef and foodservice students from William M. Davies, Jr. Career and Technical High School in Lincoln represented the state in the culinary competition which was won by the Missouri team, Herndon Career Center from Raytown, just outside Kansas City.
In the competition, each team of student chefs prepared a three-course meal within a one-hour time limit using just two burners. In addition, students competed in a wide array of challenges including plate presentation, safe food transportation, knife skills, teamwork/cooperation and professionalism/appearance. The Davies team had competed on the state level in the past and has represented Rhode Island in the national finals which are held in various cities across the country each year.
In addition, there was a restaurant management competition consisting of restaurant concept and design presentation including design boards, floor plans, marketing plans, and menu design. Rhode Island was represented by a team from East Providence Career and Technical Center. Two New England teams placed in the contest. First place for Management was won by Wilbur Cross High School from Connecticut. The management team from Carver Middle High School, Massachusetts placed fourth.
The competitions had the feel of a live food reality show with Ted Allen of “Chopped” fame on hand as the Keynote Speaker at the opening ceremony. A prestigious panel of judges from across the nation officiated. Among them were four Rhode Island chefs: Chef Angie Armenise, executive chef of Blackie’s Bulldog Tavern in Smithfield; Chef Karl Guggenmos from Culinary Solutions International in Cranston; Chef-Instructor Ray McCue from Johnson & Wales University in Providence; and Chef Karsten Hart, Director of Restaurants, Newport Restaurant Group.
Bruce Newbury is a PBN contributing writer.