MISD TEAM WINS NATIONAL TITLE IN RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT
Out of a field of 40 Restaurant Management Competition teams from across the nation , Ben Barber Innovation Academy ’ s team ( left ) placed first in category . The Culinary Competition team ( right ) ended the competition in fourth place out of 42 teams .
Ben Barber Innovation Academy ’ s culinary arts team has done it again . The students competed against 80 teams from across the country in the National ProStart ® Invitational in Washington , D . C . and took first place in restaurant management and fourth place in the culinary competition .
The culinary arts program is run by Chefs Jacquelyne Baker- Roberson and David Roberson .
“ Chef Baker and I are elated and proud of these students for their hard
The Restaurant Management team explained the winning concept to judges who are experts in the culinary industry .
work in and out of the classroom and the trust they placed in their teammates and educators ,” said Chef Roberson . “ We feel our two teams ’ successes are a byproduct of the entire MISD commitment to excellence .”
The Ben Barber team also won first prize in 2019 . It was the last time the competition was held in person , making them back-to-back national champions .
In addition to bragging rights from the national competition , Ben Barber ’ s restaurant management team , made up of Griffin Biddle , Logan Ceraul , Alexa Davis and Bella Penns , will each receive $ 7,000 to be used at the college of their choice .
The culinary team , including students Garrett Carter , Jalessa Gillett , Travis Hill , Travis Holley and Giovanni Vance , will
receive $ 3,000 each . In addition to the cash prizes , students could receive scholarships from various culinary schools if they choose to attend . The highest offer was $ 50,000 for a firstplace win and $ 25,000 for fourth place .
“ These high school students are the best-of-the-best , representing the industry ’ s talent of tomorrow ,” said Rob Gifford , president of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation . “ It was a pleasure to give them this platform to showcase their incredible skills on a national stage and win scholarships to support their career goals in the restaurant and foodservice industry .”
ProStart ® is a nationwide , two-year high school program that reaches approximately 130,000 students in more than 1,700 high schools across 50 states , Guam and the District of Columbia .
Along with competitions and scholarships , the program provides real-life experience and builds practical skills and foundations for participating students .
MANSFIELDTODAY 9