• Program Overview

    With national and local support from industry members, educators, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and state restaurant association partners, ProStart® reaches nearly 140,000 students in more than 1,800 high schools across 50 states, the Territory of Guam and at Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Europe and the Pacific.

    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.

     

    How ProStart Works
    By bringing together the industry and the classroom, ProStart gives students a platform to discover new interests and talents to open doors for fulfilling careers. It happens through a curriculum that includes all facets of the industry, and sets a high standard of excellence for students and the industry.

    ProStart National Certificate of Achievement
    Students who have completed the requirements of the ProStart program are awarded an industry-recognized certificate - the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement. To earn the certificate, students pass two national exams, demonstrate a mastery of foundational skills and work 400 mentored hours.

    Students who receive the certificate are eligible for NRAEF scholarship opportunities and course credits at more than 75 of the country’s leading hospitality and culinary arts colleges and universities.

    Why ProStart?
    Through the ProStart program, high school students can learn career-building skills and get a taste for success in an industry that is hungry for talent.

    ProStart National Certificate of Achievement
    At the end of the program, ProStart graduates possess a solid foundation for their future careers, and they receive the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement. This certificate recognizes students who have successfully completed the program and are eligible to earn special scholarships and college credit from colleges and universities across the country. It also opens the door to our vibrant and growing industry. In order to earn this Certificate, students must pass National Restaurant Association Solutions’ Year 1 and Year 2 exams, and complete 400 hours of mentored work experience (see checklist from instructor). Students who earn their ProStart National Certificate of Achievement are eligible to apply for a scholarship from both the Wisconsin and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundations.

    Many college and university restaurant, foodservice and hospitality programs also offer benefits to ProStart graduates. These institutions know that ProStart graduates have completed an approved curriculum and meet high standards of excellence. These credits include scholarships, class credits and credit towards work experience requirements. For example, UW-Stout offers a minimum of 10 credits towards their Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management program.
Bunche Culinary