HURST -- More than 100 students from 25 area high schools tested their talents Wednesday at a regional competition for culinary education programs.
The Texas ProStart Invitational competition was at the Hurst Conference Center.The teams had an hour to whip up a three-course meal with appetizer or salad, main course and dessert, and had to set prices for each menu item. One student from each team had to cut up -- or fabricate -- a whole chicken into pieces.In a separate restaurant management competition, teams gave oral presentations to judges, explaining a business concept they developed and pitching it as if they were presenting their idea to investors.A restaurant management team from the Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality at Northwest schools' Byron Nelson High School placed first in national competition last year.Interest in culinary professions has increased in recent years, driven in part by television programs that showcase personable chefs and innovative food preparation techniques."It's in a lot more schools," said Wendy Saari, marketing vice president of the Texas Restaurant Association.The top six culinary teams and the top six restaurant management teams will advance to state finals in Waco in March. Two winning teams will represent Texas at nationals in Baltimore in April.Participating schools included campuses in Fort Worth, Birdville, Keller, Grapevine-Colleyville, Northwest and Eagle-Mountain Saginaw.Jessamy Brown, 817-390-7326Twitter: @jessamybrown
Texas ProStart Invitational regional results
These teams advanced to state competition.
Restaurant management
1. Career and Technical Education Center, Frisco schools
2. Prosper High
3. Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Services at Byron Nelson High, Northwest schools
4. Plano East High
5. Allen High
6. Hollenstein Career and Technology Center, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw schools
Culinary
1. Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Services at Byron Nelson High, Northwest schools
2. Career and Technical Education Center, Frisco schools
3. Prosper High
4. Hollenstein Career and Technology Center, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw schools
5. Allen High
6. Royse City High
Source: Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation
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