News from New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation

For more information contact: Donna Reichel, 518-452-5522

New York ProStart Competition a Huge Success at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA)

ALBANY, NY (02/15/2008; 1621)(readMedia)-- Press Release

New York ProStart Competition a Huge Success at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA)

Submitted by: Donna Reichel, NYSRAEF Director of Development For additional information call: 518-452-5522

A team of talented Hospitality Technology & Culinary Arts students from the Schoharie Career & Technical School is headed to the 2008 National ProStart Competition in San Diego this April after winning the New York State ProStart Culinary Competition at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. The event held on February 8-9, was presented by the New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation in Albany. Joining them will be this year’s 1st place management champions from Southern Adirondack Educational Center.

Cooking their way to first place against 14 other teams from across the state were Katrina Gannon, Matthew Hudson, Aaron Giebitz, Kayla Williams and Michael Cushman. 1st Place Management team members included Jamie Norton, Greg Hutchinson, Nick Greene, Breanna Donovan and Ryan Mercado.

In addition to earning their spot at the national competition, the winning students brought home trophies and college scholarships, along with valuable experience and advice.

The culinary students are taught by Chef Nancy Iannacone, who last year was named 2007-08 New York State ProStart Teacher of the Year and was honored in the printed program at the state competition. Iannacone said, “Our team had to demonstrate their creative ability, skills and professionalism while preparing a three-course meal in 60 minutes. Their performance was observed, critiqued and rated by judges from leading colleges and universities and from the restaurant and food service industry. The New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation supports our students’ training and competitions.”

The Management team was taught by Chef Charlie Jones who coached the winning team from last year that ultimately placed 4th in the ProStart National Competition. The management competition includes a rigorous quiz bowl question and answer format and case study evaluations. Teams must be able to think quickly in front of a panel of judges as they make their presentations.

Both teams will compete at the National ProStart Student Invitational, presented by the National Restaurant Association, in San Diego, California, from April 24-26. More than 35 states will be represented at the national competition.

ProStart is a nationally recognized and respected educational restaurant and foodservice management program offered by the New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation in Albany. The program includes coursework and on-the-job training and leads to nationally recognized, professional certification. This year over $350,000 in scholarships was distributed at the competition.

Attachments

Press Release Copy
pressreleasecomp08.doc

1st Place Culinary ProStart 2008 Winners

1st Place Management ProStart 2008 Winners