ProStart® is a national, two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart's industry-driven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical skills that will last a lifetime. Nationally ProStart reaches more than 214,000 students in over 2,100 schools in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and the Territories of Guam and Puerto Rico. Over the past 27 years, more than 1 million students have participated in ProStart.

Illinois ProStart serves nearly 4,500 students in 52 schools across the state.  The curriculum is industry-relevant, addresses necessary critical skills, meets Illinois State Board of Education learning standards, and offers nationally recognized certifications. The Illinois ProStart® Program goes beyond providing a curriculum in the classroom by connecting students to industry via field trips, classroom speakers, career camps and more. For more information for students and teachers, see below:

• Students
• Teachers

 

 

2026 IL ProStart® Invitational State Competition 

The 26th Annual ProStart® Invitational took place on Sat. February 28, 2026 at Sysco Chicago

In 2025, Woodruff Career and Technical Center took first place in the management division while Technology Center of DuPage earned first in the culinary division. Both teams received scholarships and prizes.

Over 40 industry professionals and representatives from post-secondary schools judged both competitions. Represented among these industry leaders are executive chefs, corporate chefs, chef instructors and hospitality professionals from a variety of industry sectors. 

The event, presented by Title Sponsor Sysco, also included a College and Industry Expo featuring admissions representatives from post-secondary culinary programs, and industry job opportunities.

The top ranking teams in 2025 included:

2025 Culinary Competition

• 1^st place: Technology Center of DuPage
• 2^nd place: Rolling Meadows High School
• 3^rd place: Oswego High School

2025 Management Competition

• 1^st place: Woodruff Career & Technical Center
• 2^nd place: Technology Center of DuPage
• 3^rd place: Oswego High School

2025 Cupcake Competition [New in 2025!]

• 1^st place: Theodore Roosevelt High School 
• 2^nd place: Technology Center of DuPage
• 3rd place: Rich Township High School 

Congratulations to the top finishers and to all of the schools who competed this year. Well done students and teachers!

Please reach out to jblomquist@illinoisrestaurants.org with any questions.

We would like to thank our supporters for their generosity!

• 4imprint
• Areas
• Blackstone Hotel
• Burger Alley
• Fight to Feed
• C-Soap by Coker
• Rochelle Trotter
• Edward Don
• Ecolab
• Employers
• HMSHost
• HMC Hospitality Group
• Home Run Inn
• Manny's Deli
  
• Mercer Culinary
• Nestle
• PepsiCo Foodservice
  
• Ritz-Carlton Chicago
  
• Home Grown by Sysco
• One Off Hospitality
• Tandoor Char House
• Tiny Tapp
  
• Wintrust
  

2025 1st Place Culinary: Technology Center of DuPage

 

2025 1st Place Management: Woodruff Career & Technical Center

 

2025 National ProStart® Invitational

On May 4, 2025, students from the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) and Woodruff Career and Technical Center earned national honors at the National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) in Baltimore, Maryland. Competing against 48 of the top culinary and hospitality programs across the U.S., these Illinois teams delivered excellence, confidence, and creativity under pressure.

The TCD Culinary Team—representing the Technology Center of DuPage—included Ashlynn Zimniewicz, Isabella Zagal-Sandoval, Ayleen Mondragon, Delilah Noriega, and Ireland Lenz. Guided by chef educators Matt Barker, Byron Kuhn, and Brittney McLawhorn, the team impressed judges with their precision and teamwork.

Special thanks to the parents who cheered on the team and to Alvaro Lima, Senior Corporate Chef at Unilever, who mentored and supported the team during the competition.

In hospitality management, the Woodruff Career and Technical Center team was made up of Ava Simms, Jazz Lagrand Williams, Kylie D. Varnell, and Jitske M. Miedema.

Congratulations, teams! You are all champions.