High School Students From 46 States, Territories And Department Of Defense Bases Compete For $3.75 Million In Scholarships At The National ProStart Invitational

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is preparing to host the 13^th annual National ProStart Invitational at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, Minn. May 3-5. More than 300 top ProStart students from 46 states, territories and Department of Defense bases will demonstrate their mastery of restaurant leadership skills – culinary and management – in a fast-paced competition, aiming for a share of $3.75 million in scholarships.

A portion of the scholarships awarded will be supported by the BURGER KING McLAMORE^(SM) Foundation, which will provide 50 student scholarships, one to each member from the top 10 winning teams. The winners will join a long list of esteemed students who share the 2014 BURGER KING^(SM) Scholars title. Scholarships are also offered by major industry employers and renowned culinary schools including Coca-Cola, Golden Corral, Bloomin' Brands, Georgia Pacific, The Culinary Institute of America, Le Cordon Bleu, Johnson & Wales and more.

"The restaurant industry provides opportunities for a wide range of rewarding careers and, through ProStart, is investing in students to help them achieve their dreams of working in our industry. The National ProStart Invitational showcases the critical tie between industry and classroom that makes ProStart a model for workforce-focused education," said Rob Gifford, executive vice president, strategic operations and philanthropy for the National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. "At the NRAEF, building a pipeline of industry talent is our key imperative, and with help from our generous sponsors and notable judges at the invitational, we are creating life-changing experiences that train students both in the classroom and on the job."

The culinary competition highlights the creative abilities of each team as they prepare a three-course meal in 60 minutes, using only two butane burners with no access to running water or electricity. Esteemed judges evaluate the teams on taste, teamwork, safety and sanitation, among other skills. Management teams develop a business proposal for an original restaurant concept and present it to a panel of industry judges. Then, they'll be further tested to solve the types of challenges restaurant managers face on a daily basis.

"We are thrilled to be offering our support to the NRAEF which shares our mission of advancing education," said Jill Granat, president of the BURGER KING McLAMORE^(SM) Foundation. "The National ProStart Invitational showcases the next generation of our restaurant industry leaders. We are proud to be a part of this great educational initiative."

This year's judges include Chef Walter Scheib, former White House executive chef from 1994 – 2005 who cooked for both President Clinton and President Bush; Chef Stephen Kalil, PepsiCo corporate research chef; and Chef Maxcel Hardy, former ProStart student, executive chef and founder of One Chef Can 86 Hunger, among many other prominent industry leaders.

Nearly 1,000 attendees, including industry and academic leaders, NRAEF board members, state restaurant association representatives, ProStart educators, friends and family members will be in Minneapolis cheering on the student competitors.

ProStart is the nation's premier culinary arts and restaurant management program, utilized in more than 1,700 high schools in 48 states, Guam and on U.S. military bases and reaching nearly 100,000 secondary students annually. Administered by the NRAEF, ProStart prepares young people to pursue additional studies or enter a rewarding career in the foodservice sector. Many post-secondary schools in the nation recognize ProStart's Certificate of Achievement, which is awarded to students who complete both levels of the program and at least 400 hours of work experience, and reward them with scholarships and credits.

For additional details about the National ProStart Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn. May 3-5, visit: http://www.nraef.org/ProStart/Invitational.

For more information on the ProStart program, visit NRAEF.org/ProStart or find us on Twitter or Facebook.

About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation:

As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the NRAEF exists to enhance the restaurant industry's service to the public through education, community engagement and promotion of career opportunities. The NRAEF works to attract, develop and retain a career-oriented professional workforce for the restaurant industry. The restaurant and foodservice industry comprises 980,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of more than 13 million employees, making it one of the nation's largest employers. For more information on the NRAEF, visit NRAEF.org.

Contact:

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SOURCE The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF)