It’s COA Time!

We will accept COA paperwork through June 30.

TWO WEEKS before you test, please have your students log into their accounts to confirm they have access.

• If they have completed a level one exam, be sure they can see their results


• If your student has never tested, have them create an account. Use the directions found in the Educator Portal HERE


• If your student cannot access their account – send an email ASAP to info@oraef.org


• If you are a multiple educator school, send us the names and email addresses of all the students that will be testing so that we can merge their accounts

If you still have questions reach out to info@oraef.org ASAP. COA'S MUST BE RECIEVED BEFORE JUNE 30...

Burger Battle Champions at the Ohio Beef Council

If you didn't see last week... A Message From Our Executive Director, Patty Halper

It has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve as the Hospitality Institute of Ohio/Ohio ProStart Executive Director. Working alongside such passionate and dedicated culinary educators has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Every day, you bring skill, heart, and purpose to your work by shaping you...

A Message From Our Executive Director, Patty Halper

It has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve as the Hospitality Institute of Ohio/Ohio ProStart Executive Director. Working alongside such passionate and dedicated culinary educators has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Every day, you bring skill, heart, and purpose to your work by shaping young lives and preparing them for meaningful careers in hospitality.

It is amazing how quickly twelve years have flown by. I am incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished together—from implementing Ohio ProStart exams in lieu of WebXams, to establishing Ohio Hospitality CTSO, to earning recognition as a Pre-App...

Top Teams at the Ohio ProStart Invitational!

The 2026 Ohio ProStart Invitational was a huge success! Congrats to all teams that competed this year! Check out some action shots of the day on our social media here.

Culinary Top Teams:

1st Polaris Career Center

2nd Penta Career Center

3rd Normandy High School

4th Sentinel VSCTC

5th Delaware Area Career Center

Management Top Teams:

1st Penta Career Center

2nd South-Western Career Academy

3rd Delaware Area Career Center

Individual Awards:

Best Menu - Normandy High School

Best Plated Entree - Polaris Career Center

Top Culinary Student - Delaware Area Career Center

Top Leadership Award - Delaware Area Career Center

Most Creative Dessert - Penta Career Center

Mac & ...

Are you an excellent teacher? Apply for the Teacher of Excellence Award

The Teacher of Excellence Award Application is now open! The Teacher of Excellence will be honored at the Celebration of the Stars Award Banquet. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 6th. Apply Today HERE!

Ohio ProStart Invitational Around the Corner!

Waivers for Competitors: If you have not already, please submit the EVENT WAIVER for your competing students. You can check if your students have submitted their waiver at this link. The list was last updated on 3/3.

You should have received your invoices; please get them paid ASAP. Reach out to Abby (adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org) with any questions!

Mac and Cheese Finalists...

Ohio ProStart Invitational Around the Corner!

Waivers for Competitors: If you have not already, please submit the EVENT WAIVER for your competing students. You can check if your students have submitted their waiver at this link. The list was last updated on 2/25. Reach out to Abby (adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org) with any questions!

Mac & Cheese Competition LIVE: The top 3 Mac & Cheese teams from our virtual competition will be battling it out live at the Ohio ProStart Invitational. The event will tentatively run from 3:00-4:00 pm. The awards ceremony for all competitions that day will be directly following, with an estimated start time of 4:15 pm. Follow our socials and see who the top 3 compe...

Ohio ProStart Invitational Around the Corner!

Menu & Recipe Costing Webinar: The Menu & Recipe Costing walk-through video (with a previous competition judge) is now available in the educator portal. Use this webinar to accompany your classroom lesson when teaching costing. All things related to what he wants to see, so that you can prepare your students! View in the educator portal HERE.

Waivers for Competitors: If you have not already, be sure to submit the EVENT WAIVER for your competing students. Reach out to Abby (adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org) with any questions!

Ecolab Bites & Beats Opportunity for Students Registered for the 2026 Ohio ProStart Invitational

What is Bites and Beats, you say...

The Day of Deadlines! What important things are due Friday the 13th?

• Scholarship Application Extended through Friday the 13th. Free money for your student's education! Please have your students fill out the Ohio Hospitality Scholarship Application HERE. Some scholarships require a COA, while many do not.
  
  
  
  • The only schools that applied are: VSCTC Sentinel, Polaris Career Center, and Stow-Munroe
  
  
  
  


• Mac & Cheese Competition Submissions Due Tomorrow, Friday the 13th! Rules and submissions can be found in the educator portal Here. Reach out with any questions!


• Last Day to register for the SuperBowl of Student Hospitality Competitions! Everything you need is in the Educator Portal HERE. 13 Culinary teams...