Wylie High School wins FS Prep/ProStart state finals

In the first-ever year that Texas participated in the state finals of the FS Prep/ProStart High School Competition, Wylie High School, Wylie, Texas, took first place in both the culinary competition and the restaurant management competition. The two Wylie High School teams will now travel to Overland Park, Kan., on April 30 to compete in the National ProStart Invitational.

The Wylie High School culinary team was made up of students Zack Cottey, Brian Duncan, Kellen Ly, Logan Shillington and Austin Valdepena, led by their instructor Steve DeShazo. Each team member received a $10,000 scholarship. Westside High School, Houston, took second place in the culinary competition, with each team member receiving a $5,000 scholarship. Wylie High School's restaurant management team was made up of students Bennet Brown, Jordan Cook, Katie Hoeflich, Lexi Miller and Ashley Morton, and also led by Steve DeShazo. Each team member received a $5,000 scholarship. San Angelo Central High School, San Angelo, Texas, took second place, and each team member received a $2,500 scholarship. Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Schools provided scholarships to the winners in both the culinary and restaurant management competitions.

The Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation, which maintains educational programs such as FS Prep and ProStart to to build pathways from schools to careers in the foodservice industry. For more information, visit www.restaurantville.com.