Colorado ProStart Sets the Table for Culinary and Hospitality Careers

“As far as a dream, I didn’t really know if I had one until last year.”

“When I got into ProStart…you get to see sides of the industry you might not have known about before., and you say ‘Maybe that is a good future career for me.’”

Hear more about the ProStart program and how its helped teens across the state and nation to gain confidence, leadership skills, earn scholarships and so much more through this unique community.

One of the strangest things about the last year and a half from a programming perspective has been the absence of ProStart competition, in which our Career Academy Culinary students typically participate in each spring. Our Culinary Arts program curriculum is based on ProStart, a career and technical education program that unites the foodservice industry and the classroom to teach high school students culinary skills and restaurant management principles.

Youthentity's culinary students train all year to compete in the ProStart state competition, held in Denver at the end of April, with hopes to qualify for the ProStart National Invitational competition. Through these competitions, students have the opportunity to earn scholarship money, and our students have earned over $920,000 in scholarships over the years! ProStart competitions are also a fantastic opportunity for students to meet other ProStart students from across the nation, network with industry professionals, and learn more about college and careers in the restaurant industry.

This year, we hope to return to normal - including attending ProStart competitions. ProStart is part of hat makes this program so much more than just baking and cooking. Students really learn to work as a team under the pressure of competition, with real and tangible results in the form of not only awards and accolades, but scholarships to fuel their future dreams.

Spots are available for Youthentity's Culinary Arts & Hospitality Fall 2021 program! Students can apply through their school counselor, or reach out to Program Director Greg Beachey at greg@youthentity.org.