Invitationals
Annual Invitational
ProStart students are given the opportunity to put their skills to the ultimate test by participating in the NH ProStart State Invitational, which is held annually in the spring. During this intense culinary competition, participating teams demonstrate their creative abilities through the preparation of a three-course meal in 60 minutes, using only two butane burners, and all without access to running water or electricity. There is no room for error as the teams are evaluated on taste, skill, teamwork, safety and sanitation! During the Restaurant Management competition, students will design their own restaurant in ProStartville and present to a group of judges on their concept, menu and costing, marketing, critical thinking, and operations. At both the state and national level, students compete to win various scholarships, with the winning team moving forward to represent New Hampshire at the National ProStart Invitational.
New Hampshire ProStart State Invitational
March 4, 2025
National ProStart Invitational
May 2 -4, 2025
2025 ProStart Invitational Winners
Culinary:
First Place - White Mountains Regional High School
Second Place - Pinkerton Academy
Third Place - Seacoast School of Technology
Communication - Seacoast School of Technology
Knife Skills - Seacoast School of Technology
Safety & Sanitation - White Mountains Regional High School
Team Manager - Maddie LeBlanc, Pinkerton Academy
Management:
First Place - Pinkerton Academy
Second Place - Milford Applied Technology Center
Third Place - Concord Regional Technical Center
Creativity - White Mountains Regional High School
Critical Thinking - White Mountains Regional High School
Presentation Skills - Addy Holzshu, Pinkerton Academy
National ProStart® Invitational Recap
On Tuesday, March 4, high school students from across the state gathered for the New Hampshire ProStart State Invitational, an exciting opportunity to demonstrate their passion and skills in the culinary and hospitality industries. Representing ten high schools across the state, students competed to showcase their culinary and restaurant management expertise in front of a panel of chefs and industry professionals.
Nine high schools, including Concord Regional Technical Center, Dover Regional Career Technical Center, Mount Washington Valley Career & Technical Center, North Point CTE, Pinkerton Academy, Plymouth Regional High School, Richard W. Creteau Regional Technology Center, Seacoast School of Technology, and White Mountains Regional High School participated in the Culinary competition, where teams were given 60 minutes to prepare and present a carefully developed three-course menu. With only two butane burners available, these aspiring chefs were challenged to showcase not only their cooking skills, but also their expertise in areas such as sanitation, cleanliness, communication, presentation, and, of course, taste.
In the Management category, four New Hampshire schools including Concord Regional Technical Center, Milford Applied Technology Center, Pinkerton Academy, and White Mountains Regional High School showcased their innovative hospitality concepts. Each team was tasked with developing a comprehensive business plan, which was then evaluated by a panel of professionals from the hospitality and business sectors.
The event also had the honor of welcoming Governor Ayotte, who took the time to meet with students, observe the competition, and engage with hospitality leaders from across New Hampshire. Her continued support of the travel and tourism industry is greatly appreciated.
The first-place winners from each category will advance to the National ProStart Competition, which will be held in Baltimore, MD, on May 2-4, 2025. White Mountains Regional High School will be representing New Hampshire in culinary with a menu of Lightly Cured Pan Roasted Salmon (pomegranate apple “mostrada,” watermelon radish pea shoot salad, and warm pan vinaigrette, New York Strip Loin “Marchand de Vin” (red wine shallot veal jus, crispy rosemary scented gold potato cake, honey and garlic glazed melange of vegetables and maldon sea salt), and Variations of Cherry (tart cherry mousse, cherry banana macaron, stewed cherries au jus, and carmelized bananas). Pinkerton Academy will be representing New Hampshire in management with Twisted Toast. Twisted Toast offers a truly unique experience, with a classic bakery in the front and a dark, mysterious hideaway area in the back. At first glance, just a modern bakery featuring glass displays filled with freshly baked bread and a small seating area - until you find where the real magic happens.
The winners in the Culinary category are:
First Place - White Mountains Regional High School, Whitefield
Second Place - Pinkerton Academy, Derry
Third Place - Seacoast School of Technology, Exeter
Communication - Seacoast School of Technology
Knife Skills - Seacoast School of Technology
Safety & Sanitation - White Mountains Regional High School
Team Manager - Maddie LeBlanc, Pinkerton Academy
The winners in the Management category are:
First Place - Pinkerton Academy
Second Place - Milford Applied Technology Center, Milford
Third Place - Concord Regional Technical Center
Creativity - White Mountains Regional High School
Critical Thinking - White Mountains Regional High School
Presentation Skills - Addy Holzshu, Pinkerton Academy
Thank you to our generous Sponsors:
110 Grill, American Culinary Federation White Mountains Chapter, Café Services, Concord TV, Dexter, Duprey Hospitality, EcoLab, Flatbread Company, Granite Edvance, Great Bay Community College, Gordon Food Service, Heron Point Seafood, Performance Foodservice, Sysco Northeast, The Common Man Family, US Foods
Thank you to our Judges and Support Team:
110 Grill, Alvrine High School, Appalachian Mountain Club, Arcadia Financial, Autumn Nomad Cafe & Baker, BAM Hospitality, Barrio Tacos. Brian Coffey Catering, Chickadee, Copper Door, David’s Restaurant, Heron Point Seafood, Lakes Region Community College, Melan Group, Nashua Country Club, New England Sports Hub and Event Center, Pinkerton Academy, Red Arrow Diner Corporation, Rockywold Deephaven Camp, The Portland Regency Hotel, Three Chimneys Inn, Tinios Hospitality Group, Sysco NNE, University of New Hampshire, Vintage Bakery, Waumbek Golf
Our Sponsors and Supporters
