On January 29 the Houston Regional Texas ProStart Invitational competition will take place at Westside High School. Twelve teams from the Houston area will demonstrate their mastery of the culinary arts as they compete for a chance to represent the state of Texas at the National ProStart Invitational. The Texas ProStart Invitational is hosted by the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation. The Houston regional competition is supported by the Greater Houston Restaurant Association, a Texas Restaurant Association chapter.
Only students enrolled in high school culinary arts program utilizing the Texas ProStart program and curriculum are eligible to compete in the Invitational. This competition challenges students to demonstrate the essential skills for culinary success in the foodservice industry – from basics like chicken fabrication and knife skills to creating a three course menu, pricing the menu items, and preparing the dishes for judges in only 60 minutes.
Judges evaluate creativity, plate presentation, taste, teamwork and professionalism. The teams are also graded on how closely they followed all safety and sanitation rules. The top three teams from the Houston regional competition will travel to Austin to compete in the state finals in March.
“These competitions are a wonderful way to showcase the extraordinary talent of our Texas culinary arts students,” said Cathy Cace, Johnny Cace’s Seafood & Steak House, Longview, and chair of the TRA Education Foundation. “The students and teachers work extremely hard to prepare for this competition and we are impressed each year by their commitment. It is a great experience for everyone involved.”
Schools participating in the January 29th regional competition include Alief Hastings High School, Carl Wunsche Senior High School, Cy-Fair Culinary Academy, Foster High School, James Earl Rudder High School, Jeff Davis High School, Lamar Consolidated High School, Lamar High School, Miller Career & Technology Center, Taylor Career & Technology Center and Westside High School.
The Texas ProStart Invitational competition is sponsored by: Auto-Chlor, Texas Beef Council, Texas Gas Service and US Foodservice. The Houston Regional Competition is sponsored by: US Foodservice of Houston, Martin Gourmet, Chili's, Hospitality Pro Search, Houston Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Dr Pepper Snapple, A'La Carte Food Service Consulting Group, Sysco Corporation, Hangman Corporation, InsurTexas, Campioni, Texas Food Group, and McCormick.
For more information, visit www.ghra.com.
