Texas Restaurant Foundation, College Football Playoff Foundation, and Harris County - Houston Sports Authority name inaugural Taste of ProStart Houston champions
Students from Cleveland High School, Dawson High School, Milby High School and Waller High School advance to the 2024 Taste of the Championship
(HOUSTON, TX) December 6, 2023 – The Texas Restaurant Foundation, College Football Playoff Foundation, the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority, and the Houston 2024 Host Committee hosted its inaugural Taste of ProStart Houston cooking competition at The Ballroom at Tanglewood. The event featured students from several Houston area high schools as they put their best dish forward to earn a spot at the 2024 Taste of the Championship. Attendees voted for their favorite dish and helped advance culinary teams from Cleveland High School, Dawson High School, Milby High School and Waller High School to represent Texas ProStart at the national championship in January.
“The Texas ProStart program is one of the best in the nation in preparing young adults to be successful in the foodservice industry,” Heather Pickett, foundation director of the Texas Restaurant Association, said. “Through innovative curriculum, access to renowned chefs, educators and state-of-the-art kitchens and facilities, we are able to provide young Texas culinary professionals incredible opportunities to be prepared to work in one of Texas’ most vital and growing industries. Today’s student is tomorrow’s top chef and the Texas Restaurant Foundation is here to help at every step of the way.”
The Texas ProStart program prepares students for careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. The program takes high school culinary and restaurant management to the next level by providing support to over 250 high schools and reaching over 27,000 students nationally each year, in partnership with the national
ProStart program.
The Taste of the Championship is a premium dining experience held the night before the CFP National Championship that benefits the College Football Playoff Foundation, a nonprofit that supports educators and students in the U.S.
“Our community of chefs, restaurant owners, servers, supporters and more really showed up for these kids today,” Britton Banowsky, executive director of the College Football Playoff Foundation, said. “When people are given opportunities to showcase their talents, it helps foster a leadership pipeline across any industry. Unlocking the potential of students is an initiative that the College Football Playoff Foundation will always support.”
Proceeds from the event will be used to underwrite the winning teams participation in the
2024 Taste of the Championship and also benefit the
Texas Restaurant Foundation and
Houston Loves Teachers. For more information about Texas ProStart please visit:
txrestaurant.org/txps/Texas-ProStart-Home-Page.aspx.
About the ProStart Program
The Texas ProStart Program is the largest in the country and focuses on developing the next generation of restaurant and foodservice leaders. Texas ProStart has a long history of sending top competitors to the national competition. The program is industry driven, combining culinary arts and restaurant management training to build practical skills. ProStart provides students a platform to discover new interests while highlighting successful career opportunities across the industry. More than 25,000 students at more than 220 schools participate in ProStart programs throughout Texas every year. The invitational alone draws more than 300 high school students.
To learn more about investing in the future of the Texas restaurant and hospitality industry, go to www.txrestaurant.org/foundation.
About Texas Restaurant Association
Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association serves as the advocate and indispensable resource for the foodservice industry in Texas. As a leading business association, the TRA represents the state’s $95 billion restaurant industry, which encompasses upwards of 55,000 locations and a workforce of over 1.4 million employees. Along with the Texas Restaurant Foundation, the workforce development arm of the TRA, the association proudly continues to protect, advance, and educate a growing industry as the TRA enters its 86th year. For more information, please visit www.txrestaurant.org.
About Harris County - Houston Sports Authority
Harris County - Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA) maintains the facilities and services the debt of the world-class, professional sports venues it was created to build. To support this primary mission, HCHSA is a leading proponent in attracting sporting events to Houston and promoting the city as a home for sports-related activities. This ultimately results in enhancing Houston's economic development, improving the quality of life for its residents, and maintaining the city and county as a premier destination for marquee events.
HCHSA also operates annual programs to honor and recognize excellence in athletics, support the local community through programming and donations, and showcase the spirit and culture of the city. These events include the Houston Sports Awards, Houston Sports Hall of Fame, Brothers In Arms Celebrity Golf Tournament, Abilities In Motion, and the National Battle of the Bands. HoustonSports.org.
About College Football Playoff Foundation
The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving as the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff and works in partnership with institutions of higher education, sports organizations, corporations, and nonprofits to support educators and improve student outcomes. The purpose of the CFP Foundation lies in supporting PK-12 education by elevating the teaching profession. The CFP Foundation inspires and empowers educators by focusing its work in four areas: recognition, resources, recruitment and retention, and professional development. To learn more, visit cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.