Teams of students from high schools across South Dakota will compete for scholarships and recognition at the 11th annual South Dakota ProStart Invitational on Monday, March 12, and Tuesday, March 13, at the Highland Conference Center in Mitchell.
The competition tests students on baking, culinary and business management knowledge and skills and is open to the public at no charge. Cake decorating teams begin on Monday at noon. On Tuesday, teams go head to head starting at 8 a.m. The competition continues throughout the afternoon, with awarding of prizes at approximately 5:30 p.m.
The state ProStart Invitational provides an opportunity for students to put to the test all of the skills they've developed in the classroom.
In the Culinary portion of the competition, each team will prepare a three-course meal in one hour using only two butane burners, and without running water or electricity. Professional chefs will score the teams on numerous factors, including preparation skills, taste, presentation, teamwork, safety and sanitation.
In the Management part of the competition, teams will develop a proposal on a restaurant concept and present it to judges from the foodservice industry. The presentations will include details about the layout, menu and pricing for the restaurant concept. Next, their problem-solving skills will be tested as they answer questions from foodservice professionals about challenges faced daily by businesses.
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The ProStart Invitational is a joint effort of the South Dakota Department of Education, the South Dakota Retailers Association and the South Dakota ProStart Advisory Committee.
