Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Culinary students shine at ProStart Student Competition

The LouisianaRestaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) hosted the 10th Annual Louisiana ProStart® Student Competition, March 1-2, 2011 at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. The competition showcased the culinary and academic talents of students from 21 high schools across Louisiana, and featured two primary components: the Culinary Competition and the Management Competition.

During the Culinary Competition, teams demonstrated their knife skills, poultry fabrication and creative abilities through the preparation of a three-course meal in 60 minutes, consisting of: a soup, salad or appetizer; an entrée with a protein, vegetable and starch; and a dessert.

Hammond High Magnet Academy ProStart team takes
first place in 2011 ProStart Student Competition.
The winner of the Culinary Competition was Hammond High Magnet Academy, led by instructor Patti Johnson and students Melissa Bass, Megan Gaudin, Jerrica Knox and Kaitlyn Maryman. The second place team was Salmen High School of Slidell, led by instructor Allison Armand and students Anthony Dillat, Lauren Hodgson, Kaila Mogg-Stone and Chris Moore. The third place team was Sulphur High School, led by instructor Cassady Hickingbottom and students Dustin Louviere, Desmond Lueck, Laura Maddox, Laci Oakman and alternate Maegan DeJean.

Teams participating in the Management Competition demonstrated their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry by developing a restaurant proposal, delivering a verbal presentation, creating a visual display and applying critical thinking skills to challenges managers face in day-to-day operations.