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 & Cheese Champions:
1st Place - Tri County Career Center #7
2nd Place - Tri County Career Center #5
Ecolab Bites & Beats Opportunity for Students Registered for the 2026 Ohio ProStart Invitational
What is Bites and Beats, you say? An exclusive opportunity for ProStart students who competed at their state invitationals to enter into a video contest to attend the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, May 16 - 18, 2026. Students will showcase a signature menu item from their unique food truck concept at a VIP music event on Sunday, May 17th. The Bites and Beats submission site closes on March 28, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET. Want to learn more? Click HERE.
Leadership Lab needs your students- Register Today!🚨
If your school, students, or educators are planning to attend the Ohio Hospitality CTSO Leadership Lab, you must register by Tuesday.
This is a required Ohio Hospitality CTSO event, and we need additional schools to register to move forward with the program.
Good news: Registration is quick and simple.
Just list the students who plan to attend, and your school will be invoiced at a later date.
📅 Leadership Lab: March 26
⏰ Registration Deadline: March 17
📝 Register: here
Currently, 50 students are registered, and we need at least 150 students to host the event.
A big thank you to the schools already committed: Jackson High School, Lorain High School, and VSCTC!
Step Out of the Classroom and Into the Industry
The Second Annual Ohio Hospitality CTSO Leadership Lab gives students the opportunity to:
💡 Learn from real hospitality professionals
🤝 Network with students from across Ohio
🚀 Develop leadership skills that translate to the workplace
Want to see what it’s all about? Check out our TikTok here highlighting this exciting event!
✅ Register your students today to ensure this event happens!
Students looking for more food-service experience?
Openings in Ohio! Looking for shift supervisors and assistant managers: outstanding benefits and growth potential.
If you have a passion for serving others, value growth in yourself and others, and can come ready each day with a warm smile ... we would like to speak with you. Prior restaurant experience is a plus.
There's no better opportunity than winning together at Culver's!
Apply Here: https://lnkd.in/gdcj6yPi
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.
Ohio Hospitality CTSO
Has your chapter gone above and beyond this year?
If your students have demonstrated outstanding community service, catering experiences, volunteer initiatives, or other impactful leadership efforts beyond standard expectations, we want to recognize them!
Don’t miss the opportunity to apply for CTSO Chapter of the Year. Showcase the meaningful work your students are doing and celebrate their dedication to service and excellence.
📌 Submit why you should win to: info@oraef.org
Submitting your CTSO Chapter Leaders is mandatory. The link to submit is HERE
The following school still needs to submit their student leaders ASAP:
Lancaster
2025-2026 Calendar
If you haven’t seen the calendar yet – click HERE
