A First-Time Judges Perspective
On March 2, 2026, as I headed toward the Salem Convention Center, I was nervous about being a first-time judge for the Restaurant Management competition at the Oregon ProStart Championships. I then thought, if I am this nervous, I wonder how a bunch of high school students would feel giving their presentations in front of seasoned hospitality professionals.
As a new member of the Oregon Hospitality Foundation Board of Directors, I was told I would have the opportunity to witness firsthand the passion, creativity, and professionalism of Oregon’s next generation of hospitality leaders. The competitors delivered in a way that exceeded my expectations.
What is the Oregon ProStart Championships?
The Oregon ProStart Championships, produced by the Oregon Hospitality Foundation in partnership with the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, are the capstone event for high school students participating in the ProStart career and technical education program. Courtney Smith of OHF and her team did an incredible job putting the event together. Students from across the state spend months preparing for this competition, where they demonstrate both culinary talent and restaurant business knowledge.
The event featured two major competitions: culinary arts and restaurant management. In the culinary competition, student teams prepared a three-course meal in just 60 minutes using only two butane burners—an impressive challenge that tested their skill, teamwork, and precision. Meanwhile, the restaurant management competition required students to think like entrepreneurs. Teams developed and presented original restaurant concepts, complete with branding, marketing strategies, menu design, cost analysis, and operational plans.
Impressive Student Innovation and Professionalism
As a judge, I had the privilege of listening to several teams pitch their restaurant concepts and answer questions from industry professionals. What stood out to me most was the level of preparation and professionalism these students displayed, despite all the nerves. Many of them presented business plans that rivaled concepts you might see from experienced operators in the industry. Their creativity, confidence, and ability to respond to real-world questions were truly impressive.
The competition brought together 13 high schools from across Oregon, each showcasing the hard work and dedication of their students and instructors. By the end of the day, the Salem-Keizer Career Technical Education Center (CTEC) earned top honors in both the culinary and restaurant management competitions, earning the opportunity to represent Oregon at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore later this year.
Beyond the competition itself, what made the day meaningful was the reminder of how important programs like ProStart are to the future of our industry. Across Oregon, the program now serves more than 8,100 students in 54 high schools, helping them develop culinary skills, leadership abilities, and business knowledge that can lead to rewarding careers in restaurants, hotels, and hospitality management.
Supporting the Next Generation of Hospitality Professionals
For those of us who work in hospitality every day, workforce development is critical to the long-term success of our industry. Watching these students present their ideas, collaborate as teams, and handle the pressure of competition was both inspiring and reassuring. The hospitality industry in Oregon has a bright future—and many of the students I met that day will undoubtedly be part of it.
It was truly an honor to serve as a judge and support the mission of the Oregon Hospitality Foundation. Congratulations to all the students who showed up to compete, and thank you to the many mentors, teachers, and volunteers who help students develop skills which move them forward. The presentation skills developed for this competition will serve as a benefit to all students, even if they choose a career different than hospitality.
* Photos provided by Oregon Hospitality Foundation