CA ProStart Cup Results

2017 ProStart

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The state’s top student chefs and entrepreneurs went head-to-head in the 15th annual CA ProStart Cup presented by the California Restaurant Association Foundation (CRAF) on March 19 and 20 at the Sheraton Fairplex in Pomona, CA.

The challenge for the student chefs was to prepare a three-course gourmet meal with only two butane burners in under an hour in the Johnny Rockets Culinary Cup; while student entrepreneurs pitched their restaurant concepts, including a supporting menu, a marketing plan and a detailed design, to a panel of judges in the BJ’s Restaurants Management Cup.

The competition was fierce as students competed for more than $2.3 million in available scholarships and the chance to represent California at the National ProStart Invitational. In the end, Greenville High School took home the top prize for culinary with an Italian inspired menu of acqua pazza and budino. Orange County School of the Arts took home the top prize for management their restaurant concept “C&C Eatery”, a community-oriented restaurant serving up home-style favorites.
Top three teams in each category (Full list of participating schools below)

BJ’s Restaurants Management Cup
First Place – Orange County School of the Arts (Santa Ana)
Second Place – Valley High School (Santa Ana)
Third Place – Newport Harbor High School (Newport)

Johnny Rockets Culinary Cup
First Place – Greenville High School (Greenville)
Second Place – Fortuna High School (Fortuna)
Third Place – Newport Harbor High School (Newport)

Awards + Highlights
BJ’s Restaurants Foundation donated $12,000 in prizes to outstanding teachers, students and schools. Rob DeLiema, president of the BJ’s Restaurant Foundation presented the 2017 California ProStart Educator of the Year to Carissa McCrory of Whitney High School.

Rob DeLiema, president of the BJ’s Restaurant Foundation presented the 2017 California ProStart Educator of the Year to Carissa McCrory of Whitney High School.

The 30 culinary teams and 16 management teams from 27 High Schools across the state impressed the judges and attendees with their skill and entrepreneurial spirit. Winning teams were awarded trophies and, most notably, scholarships to aid in their pursuit of higher education. First-place winning teams from each competition also will be sponsored by BJ’s Restaurants Foundation to compete in the 2017 National ProStart Invitational April 28-30, North Charleston, South Carolina.