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 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-Apprenticeship program.
While this transition is bittersweet, I retire with full confidence knowing that you are in very capable hands. The strength, talent, and dedication of the Hospitality Ohio team will continue to carry the organization forward with passion, excellence, and integrity.
Thank you for your support, your partnership, and the countless memorable moments we have shared. I will always carry this experience close to my heart and am deeply appreciative of each of you. Wishing you continued success in the classroom!
The ORHA is conducting a process to identify the next leader of the Hospitality Institute of Ohio. In the interim, Ohio ProStart operations will continue to be supported by its current staff which includes Sonya Delaney and Abby Del Riesgo.
We would like to celebrate Patty’s amazing work, and we know she would love to hear from each of you! I am working on a compilation of well wishes - please feel free to send an email or create a video message and email it to me at sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org.
April Office Hours – Today! – Shortened Time
April Office Hours will be held Today, Thursday, April 2 from 2:30-3:00. Please send Sonya (sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org) your topics. Remember – CEUs are given for attendance. Teams Invite with agenda was sent yesterday.
Leadership Lab – Success
We are proud of our students from the following schools that attended the Leadership Lab on March 26 – Columbus Downtown High School, Jackson High School, Jefferson County JVS, Lorain High School, Sentinel Career & Technology Center, Tri-County Career Center. We had great speakers from Cameron Mitchell, Bears Bagels and delicious ice cream donated by Young’s Jersey Dairy. Teambuilding activities and headshots were also part of the day. Headshots will be sent to the partisipating schools soon.
Leadership Lab is a requirement for all CTSO chapters. Leadership Lab is moving to the fall of 2026. Details are coming soon.
Save the Date! Teacher Institute – Friday, September 25
Mark your calendars – Teacher Institute is being held September 25 at Zink Foodservice in Columbus. Registratoin opens next week!
Award Winners Coming Soon!
We have received your Teacher of Excellence nominations, CTSO Chapter of the Year nominations, and student scholarship applications. Winners will be announced soon!
Ohio ProStart and Ohio Hospitality CTSO 2026-2027 Calendars
Coming soon!
NEW: The 2026 ProStart Passport is Here!
The 2026 ProStart Passport is now available for ProStart students nationwide. The Passport includes information about post-secondary schools that offer college credit and/or scholarships to ProStart students who have earned the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement (COA). The updated Passport can be found here.
We are excited to announce three new partnerships:
- August Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
- Johnson & Wales University
- Unity Environmental University
Why it Matters
The ProStart Passport offers students a clear outline of where they can take the skills they gained in ProStart and apply them to the next step in solidifying their career pathway.
Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Students can earn their COA (Certificate of Achievement) and Pre- Apprenticeship designation. Both are work-based learning opportunities. A COA earns 9 points toward graduation, and Pre-Apprenticeship earns 12. The process is simple, with just a few forms to complete each month.
Email info@oraef.org with any questions.
This is a great opportunity for your students! We currently have 3 schools enrolled: Tri-County, Ohio Valley, and Stow Munroe. Please register your students so we can submit to the state of Ohio!
Click HERE to view the Pre-Apprenticeship Guidelines & Click HERE for the Pre-Apprenticeship Application
Educator Portal
The new educator Portal password is 2025*ProStart. Let us know if there are additional resources you would like to see.
2025-2026 Calendar
If you haven’t seen the calendar yet – click HERE
