NYS Restaurant Assoc. Educational Foundation Announces the Winners of 7th Annual NYSRAEF ProStart Competiton

- More than $1 million in scholarship money offered to students

ALBANY, NY (03/21/2011)(readMedia)-- New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Announces the Winners of the 7th Annual NYSRAEF ProStart Competition

- More than $1 million in scholarship money offered

Albany, NY, March 18, 2011 - The 7th Annual New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NYSRAEF) ProStart Culinary and Management Competition was held at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park March 11th and 12th.

Twenty-five judges from both the restaurant industry and post-secondary institutions evaluated 16 culinary team presentations, and 11 judges covered the seven teams competing in the management event. Thirteen colleges and universities from around the country awarded $1, 010,750 in scholarship funds. A highlight of the event was the announcement that the New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) was awarding $1,000 to every school that participated in this outstanding competition, as a way for NYSRA to give back to the schools.

"The professionalism displayed by these young people at this event was incredible", said Chef Michael Zema, CEC, CCE, FMP, of St. Charles, IL, the lead judge for the culinary event. "I've been to several ProStart competitions around the country over the years, and what took place in Hyde Park was without doubt one of the most impressive competitions I've ever attended."

This observation was echoed by both Toby and Pam Strianese, professors at Schenectady County Community College, hospitality authors and lead judges for the newly-redesigned management competition. "We have just been part of a true learning experience for the high school students who participated in this extraordinary event and who now clearly recognize how important management is in operating a successful restaurant."

Rick Sampson, President and CEO of the NYSRA and NYSRAEF, was in attendance for his 7th straight ProStart state competition. "We want to thank our good friends at the Culinary Institute of America for making the 2011 competition one to remember. The CIA faculty and staff deserve positive recognition for their hard work on behalf of these schools, educators, and students. And hats off to all of our competitors; we are very proud of these young people here in New York who are the future of the restaurant industry."

The winning teams are as follows:

• Culinary teams

o 1st Capital Region BOCES ( Schoharie)

o 2nd GST – Bush Campus (Elmira)

o 3rd Food & Finance HS (New York)

o Hon. Mention Oneida Herkimer Madison BOCES (New Hartford)

• Management Teams

o 1st Orange Ulster BOCES (Goshen)

o 2nd Putnam/N. Westchester (Yorktown Heights)

o 3rd Lake Shore Carrier (Angola)

o Hon. Mention GST – Bush Campus (Elmira)

The 2012 NYSRAEF ProStart event will be held at the Niagara Conference Center in Niagara Falls March 23rd and 24th.

For more information about NYSRA and the ProStart program please visit our website at www.nysraef.org.

For further comment and photos contact: Ellen Hammond, NYSRAEF, 518-452-5522

The New York State Restaurant Association, founded in 1935, is the leading business association for the restaurant and hospitality industry in New York State. Comprised of more than 56,000 restaurants, bars, clubs, New York restaurants represent more than 628,000 employees and sales of approximately $27 billion - making it the cornerstone of the economy, career opportunities and community involvement. Along with the New York State Restaurant Association and New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, NYSRA and its chapters work to represent, educate and promote the rapidly growing hospitality industry. For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.nysra.org/.