FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2017
Contact: Alycia Harshfield
916.431.2757 | aharshfield@calrest.org

Pomona, Calif – The state’s top student chefs and entrepreneurs went head-to-head in the 15th annual CA ProStart Cup presented by the California Restaurant Association Foundation (CRAF) on March 19 and 20 at the Sheraton Fairplex in Pomona, CA.

The challenge for the student chefs was to prepare a three-course gourmet meal with only two butane burners in under an hour in the Johnny Rockets Culinary Cup; while student entrepreneurs pitched their restaurant concepts, including a supporting menu, a marketing plan and a detailed design, to a panel of judges in the BJ’s Restaurants Management Cup.

The competition was fierce as students competed for more than $2.3 million in available scholarships and the chance to represent California at the National ProStart Invitational. In the end, Greenville High School took home the top prize for culinary with an Italian inspired menu of acqua pazza and budino. Orange County School of the Arts took home the top prize for management with their restaurant concept “C&C Eatery”, a community-oriented restaurant serving up home-style favorites.

Top three teams in each category (Full list of participating schools below)

BJ’s Restaurants Management Cup

Orange County School of the Arts

Valley High School

Newport Harbor High School

Johnny Rockets Culinary Cup

Greenville High School

Fortuna High School

Newport Harbor High School

Awards + Highlights

BJ’s Restaurants Foundation donated $12,000 in prizes to outstanding teachers, students and schools. Rob DeLiema, president of the BJ’s Restaurant Foundation presented the 2017 California ProStart Educator of the Year to Carissa McCrory of Whitney High School.

The 30 culinary teams and 16 management teams from 27 high schools across the state impressed the judges and attendees with their skill and entrepreneurial spirit. Winning teams were awarded trophies and, most notably, scholarships to aid in their pursuit of higher education. First-place winning teams from each competition also will be sponsored by BJ’s Restaurants Foundation to compete in the 2017 National ProStart Invitational April 28-30, in North Charleston, South Carolina.

Full List of Participating Schools 

Arcata High School
Argonaut High School
Bonita High School
Cosumnes Oaks High School
Del Oro High School
Enterprise High School
Fortuna High School
Greenville High School
Hoover High School
John A. Rowland High School
LACES
Leuzinger High School
Lynwood High School
Morse High School
Newport Harbor High School
OC School of the Arts
Pacifica High School
Pleasant Valley High School
Rancho Alamitos High School
Rialto High School
Roseville High School
San Dimas High School
San Juan High School
The Learning Center @ Fairplex
Valley High School
Vista High School
Whitney High School
 
About the California Restaurant Association Foundation: CRAF has awarded more than $1.75 million in scholarships and grants since its inception in 1981. CRAF works to enhance education and training programs within the hospitality industry.

About ProStart: ProStart is a nationwide, two-year program for high school students, which develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s industry leaders. In California, the ProStart program is operated by CRAF in 127 public high schools, reaching 9,000 students from Redding to San Diego. CRAF enriches these culinary arts classrooms through field trips, culinary and management competitions, and industry networking opportunities that work together to make school engaging, relevant and fun. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-life experience opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime.