Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Nearly 100 students representing high schools from throughout the state will vie for honors in the eighth annual Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association's (KRHA) Hospitality Cup Student Competition. Sponsored by the KRHA Education Foundation (KRHAEF), this year's event is being held Wednesday at the Hilton Wichita Airport Inn and Executive Conference Center.

The Hospitality Cup Competition is a highlight of the Restaurant Management Program (ProStart) curriculum sponsored by KRHA and featured by sixteen Kansas high schools. Students compete in two major events requiring intensive culinary and management skills. In the culinary event, each team has one hour to demonstrate their creative abilities through preparation of a three-course meal judged throughout by professionals from the foodservice industry. Teams participating in the management competition are tested on their communication skills and their ability to apply their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry by developing a business proposal for a new restaurant concept.

Students in the edible centerpiece competition will demonstrate their creative ability through the preparation of an edible centerpiece consisting of fruits and vegetables. Winning teams from each competition will be awarded first, second and third place medals. First place winning teams in the culinary and management competitions then move on to compete at the annual National ProStart Invitational to be held on April 24-26, 2009, in San Diego, California.

Students competing include those from the following schools:

Baldwin
Erie
Labette
Northeast
Olathe
Wichita Heights
Wichita Northwest
Wichita South
Chapman
Garden City
Manhattan
Ottawa
Paola
Wamego
Wichita Southeast
Wichita West

ProStart provides aspiring restaurateurs and chefs an in-depth assessment of the food and beverage industry. Designed for high school juniors and seniors, students must pass two comprehensive exams and complete 400 internship hours during the course of the curriculum. Those successfully completing these programs can earn national certificates and qualify for scholarships to continue their education.