DERRY, N.H. — Culinary arts students from Pinkerton Academy are the toast of the town, after taking first place honors in several categories at New Hampshire’s top high school culinary and restaurant management competition, the New Hampshire ProStart State Invitational, held March 3 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord.
With first-place finishes in both Culinary and Restaurant Management, Pinkerton will advance to represent New Hampshire at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore in April.
Culinary teams were challenged to prepare a three-course meal in just 60 minutes using only two butane burners — without access to running water or electricity. Judges evaluated teams on taste, technical skill, teamwork, safety, and sanitation. First place went to Pinkerton Academy.
In the Culinary Special Awards category, Pinkerton was awarded for communications and won first place in the Restaurant Management competition. Pinkerton also won the special management awards for Creativity and Critical Thinking, while Pinkerton student Mollie Wheale won for Presentation Skills.
Hosted by the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association Education Foundation, the competition brought together students from eight Career & Technical Education centers across the state to demonstrate their culinary expertise and restaurant management skills in a high-pressure, real-world setting.
Participating schools included Concord Regional Technical Center, Dover Career Technical Center, Huot Career & Technical Center, Mount Washington Valley Career & Technical Center, North Point CTE, Pinkerton Academy, Plymouth Regional High School, and White Mountains Regional High School.
“The New Hampshire ProStart State Invitational showcases the incredible talent and professionalism of New Hampshire’s students,” said Amie Pariseau, executive director of the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association Education Foundation.
“These young leaders are gaining real-world skills that prepare them for meaningful careers in hospitality, and the industry is excited to support their growth.”
Students competed for and received scholarships from the Community College System of New Hampshire, Culinary Institute of America, Culinary Institute of Virginia, and White Mountains Community College.