EVENTS
Alaska ProStart
Brings the Heat
AKPSI25 was held on February 8 , 2025 , at Lucy Cuddy Hall on the University of Alaska-Anchorage campus . Lucy Cuddy Hall was honored this year as the “ Official Site of the Alaska ProStart Invitational ”. Lucy Cuddy has been the venue for our event since its inception ! Alaska ProStart is GRATEFUL for the lovely space and excited for the opportunity to expand the Management competition segment into the stylistically pleasing Rasmuson Hall where the focus is developing business acumen and entrepreneurship . The paring was a natural fit !
Schools from around the state participated in both the Culinary and Management segments bringing interesting ideas for businesses , tasty interpretations of traditional dishes and tremendous teamwork throughout . No competition is complete without judges and to this end , AKPSI25 did not disappoint ! Judges from hospitality businesses around the Great State of Alaska shared their precious Saturday to help students think , grow and learn . Judges often are also speakers in classrooms , present culinary demonstrations to curious lab participants in high schools throughout the state and open their businesses to field trip opportunities so that our future hospitality leaders can learn about the various places they can find success in their professional lives .
Champions were crowned on the 8th with a historical competition sweep by Chugiak High School . Chef Paulette Ditzler along with Mentor Chef Bo Marianowitz of US Foods coached their students to a state win . The culinary team presented a menu with vibrant purple potatoes woven throughout , interesting approaches to dessert with sugar spinning skills on display . The Management team shared their idea for a funky karaoke restaurant called , “ The Moose and The Mic ”, a playful take on how we eat AND play . Both these teams will be traveling to Baltimore , Maryland on May 2-5 to represent as Team Alaska at the National ProStart Invitational ! They will compete with the nation ’ s culinary and management elite as they vie for the brass ring and scholarships while networking with their peers . This is how we shape our future industry !
Please come to the competition next year ! Dates will be posted on our website , www . alaskaprostart . org , and it is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC . Also please follow Team Alaska ’ s journey on the Road to Nationals ! # akprostart
Come and watch Alaska BRING THE HEAT !
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