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By Maria Lopez-Bernstein

Culinary students: it's about the passion and teamwork. / Photo: Michael Birchenall/Foodservice Monthly

In what might be deemed a mini-"Top Chef" competition for scholarships, Maryland high school students will be competing in the Maryland ProStart Student Invitational (MPSI), a culinary and management competition that is judged by national foodservice professionals.

On Saturday, February 27, nineteen high schools throughout Maryland will descend upon Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt for an all-day competition that begins at 8 a.m. Over $700,000 in college and continuing education scholarships and the opportunity to represent the State of Maryland at the National ProStart Invitational in Overland Park, KS in April is at stake (pun intended).

Students will be creating an appetizer, entrée and dessert dish. Professional industry judges will be scoring each team on their cooking methods, taste, proper food safety and sanitation procedures, teamwork and menu difficulty. An interesting feature will be a management competition that aims to have students present a new restaurant concept to a panel of judges.

Presentation is as important as taste. / Photo: Michael Birchenall/Foodservice Monthly

Among the high schools throughout Maryland participating in this competition are the following in Prince George’s County: Bowie HS; Duval HS; Eleanor Roosevelt HS; Fairmont Heights HS; Laurel HS; Suitland HS.

The competition is hosted by the Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation (RAMEF) in partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation which uses ProStart® as its School-to-Career program to create a highly skilled workforce for the Maryland Restaurant and Hospitality industry.

What: Maryland ProStart Student Invitational
When: Saturday, February 27, 2010
Time: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. / Awards Dinner & Ceremony: 6 p.m.
Where: Martin's Crosswinds
7400 Greenway Center Drive
Greenbelt, Maryland 20770


Happy cooking!