"ProStart is the epitome of what happens when education, mentorship, industry support and passion come together."

--MN ProStart Instructor

"ProStart trains young people for the jobs that in demand."

--Christie Larson

St. Michael-Albertville High School

"ProStart expands the horizons of my students with great opportunities."

--Marge Humbert
S.T.E.P. Anoka Hennepin

"ProStart builds a bridge to our community, connects students with industry leaders, and provides opportunities for scholarships."
--Laura Feyma
Forest Lake School

"ProStart teaches culinary skills as well as the business aspect of the foodservice industry."

--Gayle Durand
Hopkins High School

ProStart® is a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and industry to develop the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders.
 

The program is "chef training for high school students," as one Minnesota instructor put it. ProStart teaches not only culinary skills, but also the business aspects of the foodservice industry. The program connects students with industry leaders, provides opportunities for scholarships and perhaps most importantly, prepares young people for careers as restaurant owners, managers, chefs and positions.

ProStart® students enjoy hands-on work, on-the-job training through mentorships, interaction with guest presenters and field trips to area restaurants and foodservice suppliers. They have the opportunity to obtain a Certificate of Achievement at the end of the two-year program upon successful completion of testing and industry work experience.

Many schools send teams to compete in the Minnesota ProStart Invitational, held annually in March. The competition showcases culinary and management skills the students have learned in class. More than 4,200 students in the state participate in ProStart at 60 Minnesota high schools. The winning team from both culinary and hospitality management is eligible to participate in the national competition each May in Washington D.C.

Minnesota ProStart Schools

Minnesota ProStart 2019 Educator of Excellence

Matt Deutsch

Burnsville High School

Matt Deutsch has been a teacher at Burnsville High School for 16 years. He is passionate about helping students find success in career and technical education that leads to future work opportunities. He finds new ways to educate and inspire his students by taking them on industry site visits and field experiences such as tours, food shows, and college visits. He also helps students attain industry certifications and coordinates the school’s garden which donates 1,000 pounds of produce to the local food shelf, encouraging students to give back to their community and know how their food grows. Beyond the school program, Matt is very involved within the industry and takes special care to attend and promote events working as a guest speaker and working with others to promote ProStart and the school’s pathway model. He caters local events for real world experience for his students such as the Star Tribune newspaper’s annual cookie contest and helps at state sponsored events like HMEF’s Stars of the Future, and 2018 Taste of the NFL event during Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis.

Previous Honorees:
2018 - Marilyn Fagerness of North Branch Area High School
2017 - Katherine Hutchinson, Park Center Senior High, Brooklyn Park
2016 - Emily Wyse Moore, Integrated Arts Academy, Chaska
2015 - Monique Sabby, Elk River High School
2014 - Lois Lewis, Indus School, Birchdale
2013 - Christie Larson, St. Michael-Albertville High School
2012 - Marlys Eickmeier, Rocori High School, Cold Spring
2011 - Gayle Durand, Hopkins High School
2010 - Kathy Ellefson, Elk River High School
2009-  Marge Humbert, S.T.E.P. Anoka-Hennepin School District
2008 - Mary Levinski, Sauk Rapids-Rice High School
2007 - Marilyn School Meister, Edgerton High School