ProStart Program

The ultimate goal of ProStart is seeing our students take charge of real-world kitchens, and Jeremiah is doing exactly that!

LRA Education Foundation Executive Director Jonathan Baynham recently visited Deux Fuegos, NOCHI's student-run pop-up restaurant, to support Louisiana ProStart alumnus and Emeril Lagasse Foundation Scholarship recipient Jeremiah Thomas.

A graduate of Istrouma Magnet High School's ProStart program, Jeremiah helped lead the menu, which featured mocktails, corn ribs, a boudin tamale, redfish, and mango sorbet with chamoy.

We couldn't be prouder to watch Jeremiah’s journey unfold from a dedicated ProStart student into a rising culinary professional. 👏

Big congratulations to the 27 culinary stars from Monroe Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) who have officially earned their ProStart Program National Certificate of Achievement (COA)! 🤩
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This is a major milestone in the culinary world. To earn this certificate, these students conquered both the National Restaurant Association’s Year 1 and Year 2 exams and put in 400 hours of mentored, real-world work experience. That is pure dedication to the craft! 🧑‍🍳⁣

📸: Pennsylvania ProStart

Now this is a menu collab we can get behind! 🌮🔥

Check out this incredible partnership between Barley Creek Brewing Company and Pennsylvania ProStart school Monroe Career and Technical Institute (MCTI)! 🤝👩‍🍳

The team at Barley Creek challenged MCTI culinary students to develop the ultimate handheld features for their summer menu—everything from creative wraps and stacked sandwiches to flavor-packed tacos. After a full day of high-stakes taste testing, two student creations crushed the competition:

✨ Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese
✨ Hawaiian Mahi Tacos

If you're in the area, stop by Barley Creek this summer to try these student-designed masterpieces. The best part? Proceeds go directly back to benefiting MCTI’s culinary program! 😋👏

📸: Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association

The South Carolina ProStart students at G. Frank Russell Technology Center had an incredible guest chef experience when Chef & Restaurant Co-owner Brandon Velie of Juniperlicious paid a visit to RTC Chef Hancock's classroom! 🍽️

Students got hands-on with an exclusive cooking demo, mastering high-end Southern culinary techniques to prepare Adluh Flour Grit Arancini with Flash Fried WP Rawl Farms Collards and Tomato Coulis.

Talk about taking kitchen skills to the next level! Huge thanks to Chef Velie for inspiring the next generation of hospitality leaders. 🙌🔥

This year's ProStart JumpStart grant winners experienced an unforgettable weekend at the 2026 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show — gaining hands-on industry insight, making meaningful connections, and getting inspired by the endless possibilities ahead. 👨‍🍳🍽️

Big thanks to our partners including Nestlé Professional, Ecolab, The Coca-Cola Company, RATIONAL AG, Testo North America, Sterno Products, and PepsiCo.

Big flavors, live music, and even bigger talent at this year’s Bites & Beats. 🎶

Congratulations to the incredible ProStart students from HospitalityMaine and California Restaurant Association, who brought their winning food truck concepts to life at The Salt Shed in Chicago during the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show — showcasing the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that ProStart helps inspire.

Thank you to Ecolab for continuing to support this amazing event each year, and to Max McNown and Elizabeth Nichols for an unforgettable performance. 👏

Our ProStart Jumpstart grant winners took over at the National Restaurant Association Show!

We hit the show floor to explore what’s next in foodservice innovation and connect with key industry partners.

Big thanks to our partners including Nestlé, Ecolab, The Coca-Cola Company, RATIONAL United States, Testo North America, Sterno Products, and PepsiCo.

Big ideas, strong connections, and plenty of inspiration! 💡

Brian Mercer Kansas City/Northland Community & Education Advocate ProStart students are getting ready for the FIFA World Cup early, and with a little something sweet! 🧁⚽

ProStart students participated in a Cupcake Wars activity to celebrate Kansas City as a host city for this year's competition.