The Herndon Career Center culinary team from Raytown, Mo., and the Blue Valley West High School restaurant management team from Overland Park, Kan., took first place at the 2026 National Prostart Invitational, hosted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
The Herndon Career Center culinary team from Raytown, Mo.More than 400 high school students from across 47 states and the District of Columbia competed for top honors and $200,000 in scholarships. Teams earned their spot in the national showdown after winning their respective state level competitions.
The Herndon Career Center team won the culinary competition by creating and executing three menu-ready recipes that included detailed cooking instructions and menu cost analysis. Each dish was professionally plated, tasted, and analyzed by a panel of industry judges. Their menu included a first course of pine nut and herb-encrusted butter poached Dover sole, a second course of duroc pork tenderloin wrapped in caul fat and shiitake mushroom duxelle, and blueberry buttermilk panna cotta with a crunchy white chocolate shell for dessert.
Blue Valley West High School restaurant management team from Overland Park, Kan.The Blue Valley West High School team captured the national title in the restaurant management segment, presenting and defending their Ember & Ivy: Barbecue Reinvented concept. Their restaurant takes the foundations of classic barbecue and elevates them through regional influence, creative menu development, and inclusive offerings. It draws on the history of Kansas City style barbecue. During their hour-long presentation to a panel of industry professionals, the students pitched their full business plan, including budget, restaurant design, and marketing strategies.
Following are the top five teams in the culinary and restaurant management competitions:
Culinary Winners
- Herndon Career Center, Raytown, Mo.
- Anderson Career & Technology Center, Williamston, S.C.
- Polaris Career Center, Middleburg Heights, Ohio
- San Dimas High School, San Dimas, Calif.
- Olathe Culinary Academy, Olathe, Kan.
Management Winners
- Blue Valley West High School, Overland Park, KS
- Chalmette High School, Chalmette, LA
- Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT
- Orange County School of the Arts, Santa Ana, CA
- Strawberry Crest High School, Dover, FL
In addition to culinary and restaurant management competition winners, Chef Frank Pinnix of Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn., was named the 2026 James H. Maynard Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes “educators who demonstrate classroom excellence and an unparalleled commitment to helping their students make the most of the program’s opportunities,” per a release from the NRAEF.
