Iowa ProStart Invitational
2024 IOWA PROSTART INVITATIONAL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024
IOWA EVENTS CENTER,
DES MOINES
Hosted by the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation, the Iowa ProStart Invitational is the High School Culinary and Restaurant Management State Championship among Iowa ProStart Schools. New this year, we’re excited to add a Cake Decorating Competition thanks to a partnership with the Iowa Culinary Institute’s Baking & Pastry Arts Program! The top teams in both the culinary and management competitions earn thousands of dollars in scholarships to put toward their post-secondary education. The champions also advance to represent Iowa at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, MD where even more scholarship money and bragging rights are up for grabs, as well as the opportunity to connect with industry professionals from across the country.
CULINARY COMPETITION
One hour is all students have to create a three-course meal in this fast-paced competition. Teams are judged and critiqued on product taste, knife skills, teamwork, safety and sanitation, menu and recipe development, costing and more.
MANAGEMENT COMPETITION
This competition challenges students to create their own restaurant concept and pitch it to a team of Iowa restaurant industry professionals as though they’re potential investors. Judges critique their concept, menu and costing, restaurant layout and staffing, marketing tactics and how well students think on their feet with critical thinking scenarios.
CAKE DECORATING COMPETITION
New this year, teams will have one hour to assemble and decorate a showstopping cake. Teams will be judged on their piping skills, overall cake appearance, taste, level of difficulty, teamwork and more.
PAST CULINARY WINNERS
2023: Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School
2022: Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School
2021: Waukee High School
2020: Waterloo Career Center
2019: Hampton-Dumont High School
2018: Waterloo West High School
2017: Waterloo West High School
2016: Waterloo West High School
2015: Waterloo West High School
2014: Waukee High School
2013: Waukee High School
PAST MANAGEMENT WINNERS
2023: Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School
2022: Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School
2021: Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School
2020: Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School
2019: Des Moines Central Campus
2018: Des Moines Central Campus
2017: Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School
2016: Davenport Community Schools
2015: Cherokee Washington High School
2014: Waukee High School
2013: Des Moines Central Campus
