What is ProStart?

ProStart (Foundations of Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts) is a career-building program developed by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) and managed locally by National Restaurant Association Solutions (NRA Solutions).  The program is a partnership between the Arkansas Hospitality Association Education Foundation (HEF), the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) and in cooperation with the Arkansas Department of Education, and high schools statewide.

ProStart gives high school students a taste for success in the restaurant and foodservice industry by blending both classroom learning and work experience to produce the culinary and management leaders of tomorrow.  The program involves close to 80,000 students in more than 1,600 schools across 47 states, territories and districts.  The ProStart program sets the standard for introducing high school students to a rewarding career in the restaurant and foodservice industry--the cornerstone of our nation's career-and-employment opportunities.

America's Restaurants: Industry of Opportunity

As the second largest private-sector employer in the country, America's restaurants are an economic force, but that statistic doesn't fully tell the story of the millions of individuals who are living the American Dream by working in our industry. This eight-minute video captures a few poignant stories that help tell the 'Industry of Opportunity' story.  http://www.restaurant.org/videos/index.cfm

3rd Edition ProStart Curriculum

Teacher Resources

Teacher Workshops

Teacher Workshops were developed to provide teachers the expertise that they need to go back to the classroom with the skills and knowledge to teach the ProStart program.  The workshops are usually held in the summer, but can be offered in January.  The workshops are developed in a way that teachers get one-on-one experience with industry professionals, and the knowledge that is only provided at a culinary school.  Such activities that teachers develop are the following:

• Knife Skills
• Plating Demos
• Safety & Sanitation
• Menu Design & Concept
• Baking & Pastry Demos

The ProStart National Certificate of Achievement:

Successfully completing the ProStart program and passing national exams, earns you this certificate and puts you on the road to management in one of America's largest industries.  Many university restaurant/foodservice programs accept ProStart courses for college credit, knowing that ProStart graduates have completed an approved curriculum and have met high school standards of excellence.

 ProStart Year 1 Certification:

Successfully completing the ProStart Year 1 curriculum and passing the end-of course exam developed by the National Restaurant Association, students are able to receive the Year 1 certification.

ProStart Year 2 Certification:

Successfully completing the ProStart Year 2 curriculum and passing the end-of-course exam developed by the National Restaurant Association, students are able to receive the Year 2 certificaton.

ServSafe Certification:

ServSafe is a food safety program providing high-quality food safety management certification, education and training materials for the restaurant and foodservice industry.  It is recognized and accepted by more federal, state and local jurisdictions than any other food safety program.  Successfully completing the ServSafe curriculum and passing the exam, ensures that students and teachers are a step ahead in the foodservice industry, as well as, have the basic knowledge to prepare and perform safely.

Students who successfully complete the ProStart final examination and ServSafe certification, while meeting the classroom and mentored internship requirements, will have a chance to earn college credit from numerous in-state and out-of-state postsecondary institutions.  An articulation agreement encourages postsecondary education while avoiding duplication of efforts and classes for students, and in the long run, saving students time and money!

Local Agreements:

• Pulaski Technical College-Arkansas Culinary School
• University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
• National Park Community College
• Ozarka College
• Arkansas Tech University
• ASU-Heber Springs
• Northwest Arkansas Community College

Out-of-State Agreements:

• Johnson & Wales
• Sullivan University

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