http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/rss/feedsTue, 27 Oct 2026 01:00:35 -0700http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/competition-day-next-weekhttp://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/competition-day-next-week Are you Ready for Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, and Mockail Madness? Bring your winning recipes & join us Tuesday, October 27 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. We’ve added some new elements to the competitions! See the rules to each competition below: Burger Battle Mocktail Madness Creative Cakes Creative Cakes- Bakers Edition The templates for the competition are in the educator portal. If your student's have not filled out the events waiver, make sure they do so HERE. Schedules & Team numbers will be emailed Friday. Grow Your Leadership with the Lead4Change Fellowship! Do you believe in the power of student leadership? The 2027 Lead4Change Fellowship offers middle and high school educators a year of leadership growth, professional development, and meaningful connections. Fellows receive a three-day, all-expenses-paid retreat in Nashville, professional development credit, quarterly virtual cohort meetings, access to a network of fellow changemakers, and $500 to support their classroom or club. If you’ve taught Lead4Change in your classroom or club and want to grow as a mentor and leader, consider applying! Applications close October 30, 2026. Apply HERE. Leadership Lab – Success! Chapter members and chapter leaders spent an exciting day learning, mingling, and preparing to have the best Ohio Hospitality CTSO chapters. This is a day for building confidence, strengthening leadership skills, and connecting with other hospitality students from across Ohio! School Visits on the Way! Sonya is hitting the road in November and would love to visit your classroom! These visits are a chance to connect with you and your students, see what’s cooking, and hear how we can better support your ProStart program. Have a student project you want to show off, questions about upcoming opportunities, or resources you need? Let’s talk! She’ll be reaching out to schedule visits, but you’re welcome to email her at sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org to get yours on the calendar. Looking forward to seeing your students in action! Classroom visits are a requirement for the ProStart program. Last Chance to Nominate an Educator or ProStart Student of the Year! Do you know an educator who goes above and beyond for their culinary and hospitality students? Or a ProStart student whose talent, leadership, and passion are taking them places? Help us give them the recognition they deserve! It’s that time of year to nominate an Outstanding Ohio Educator and ProStart Student! We will be celebrating our winners this year at the 2026 Industry Awards Winners will be honored at our annual Industry Awards on December 8. Nominate the ProStart Student of the Year 2026 HERE Nominate the Educator of the Year 2026 HERE Nominations close soon—nominate an outstanding educator or student today! CTSO Chapter Updates! Chapter leader submissions were due September 30. If you haven’t submitted your Leader, Vice Leader, and Social Ambassador, please do so as soon as possible. Please take the time to review the Guidebook HERE for refreshers on the program. Invoives for the program will be sent soon! JumpStart Your Students’ Hospitality Careers! Take your students’ learning beyond the classroom! Applications are now open for the 2027 ProStart JumpStart Grant, offering one ProStart school the opportunity to bring up to 12 students and three chaperones to the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. Students will explore industry innovations, connect with professionals, and discover exciting career pathways. The grant covers select travel, lodging, and participation costs, with an additional stipend to help offset expenses. Applications close November 13, 2026! Ready to open new doors for your students? Learn more and apply HERE! Take Your Students to the 2027 National Restaurant Association Show! Applications are now open for the High School Visitation Program at the 2027 National Restaurant Association Show, taking place May 22-25, 2027, at McCormick Place in Chicago. This unique opportunity allows culinary and hospitality students to explore 2,200+ exhibitors, attend chef demonstrations, connect with colleges and industry leaders, and experience the future of foodservice firsthand. Students and chaperones receive a special discounted rate of just $40 per person. Applications are due October 30, 2026, though schools may be accepted later as space allows. Interested schools applying after the deadline should contact Deryn Fink (Deryn.Fink@informa.com) to confirm availability. Watch the 2026 recap video and encourage your educators to apply today! Educator Portal There is a new educator portal password. Please reach out to info@oraef.org for access. Let us know if there are resources you would like to see. 2026-2027 Calendar 2026 October 27 Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, Mocktail Madness 2027 March 9 Ohio ProStart Invitational Virtual events coming soon! 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. Are you interested in bringing pre apprenticeship to your school next year? Email Abby Del Riesgo adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org Facebook Instagram LinkedIn TiktokThu, 22 Oct 2026 03:15:00 -0700http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/leadership-lab-next-weekhttp://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/leadership-lab-next-week Pizza Expo Success! 🍕 Jefferson County JVS students stepped behind the scenes and onto the competition floor at the Pizza Expo in Columbus! On Monday alone, 160 competitors from across the country brought their best pizza recipes to compete for top honors in their categories. Students supported competitors and experienced the energy, creativity, and teamwork of a national culinary competition firsthand. What an exciting way to see their classroom skills connect to the industry! A big thank you to Michael LaMarca, owner of Master Pizza, and the Pizza Expo for making this hands-on opportunity possible for Ohio ProStart students! Leadership Lab October 20! We are excited to host the 2026 Leadership Lab on Tuesday! This is a day for building confidence, strengthening leadership skills, and connecting with other hospitality students from across Ohio! Chapter leaders will also attend a separate session that is a mandatory part of their chapter training. Student attire is professional. No jeans, sweatpants, pajamas. Last chance to register for Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, and Mockail Madness Registration closes TOMORROW, Friday 10/16 It’s time for your students to put their skills to the test at Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, and Mocktail Madness! From bold flavors to eye-catching designs, these competitions give students the chance to showcase their creativity, build confidence, and represent your school. Join us on Tuesday, October 27 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. We’ve added some new elements to the competitions! See the rules to each competition below: Burger Battle Mocktail Madness Creative Cakes Creative Cakes- Bakers Edition The templates for the competition are in the educator portal. Get your teams together and Register Here! Give your students something to work toward—and a chance to show what they can do. Please register as soon as possible so that we ensure we have enough judges and volunteers for this event. School Visits on the Way! Sonya is hitting the road in November and would love to visit your classroom! These visits are a chance to connect with you and your students, see what’s cooking, and hear how we can better support your ProStart program. Have a student project you want to show off, questions about upcoming opportunities, or resources you need? Let’s talk! She’ll be reaching out to schedule visits, but you’re welcome to email her at sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org to get yours on the calendar. Looking forward to seeing your students in action! Classroom visits are a requirement for the ProStart program. Last Chance to Nominate an Educator or ProStart Student of the Year! Do you know an educator who goes above and beyond for their culinary and hospitality students? Or a ProStart student whose talent, leadership, and passion are taking them places? Help us give them the recognition they deserve! It’s that time of year to nominate an Outstanding Ohio Educator and ProStart Student! We will be celebrating our winners this year at the 2026 Industry Awards Winners will be honored at our annual Industry Awards on December 8. Nominate the ProStart Student of the Year 2026 HERE Nominate the Educator of the Year 2026 HERE Nominations close soon—nominate an outstanding educator or student today! Register Your Ohio Hospitality CTSO Chapter by October 31! Registration is open for the 2026–2027 school year, and membership remains $5 per student. Invoices will be sent this fall. Chapter leader submissions were due September 30. If you haven’t submitted your Leader, Vice Leader, and Social Ambassador, please do so as soon as possible. Please take the time to review the Guidebook HERE for refreshers on the program. Register HERE. Registration closes October 31! JumpStart Your Students’ Hospitality Careers! Take your students’ learning beyond the classroom! Applications are now open for the 2027 ProStart JumpStart Grant, offering one ProStart school the opportunity to bring up to 12 students and three chaperones to the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. Students will explore industry innovations, connect with professionals, and discover exciting career pathways. The grant covers select travel, lodging, and participation costs, with an additional stipend to help offset expenses. Applications close November 13, 2026! Ready to open new doors for your students? Learn more and apply HERE! Take Your Students to the 2027 National Restaurant Association Show! Applications are now open for the High School Visitation Program at the 2027 National Restaurant Association Show, taking place May 22-25, 2027, at McCormick Place in Chicago. This unique opportunity allows culinary and hospitality students to explore 2,200+ exhibitors, attend chef demonstrations, connect with colleges and industry leaders, and experience the future of foodservice firsthand. Students and chaperones receive a special discounted rate of just $40 per person. Applications are due October 30, 2026, though schools may be accepted later as space allows. Interested schools applying after the deadline should contact Deryn Fink (Deryn.Fink@informa.com) to confirm availability. Watch the 2026 recap video and encourage your educators to apply today! Educator Portal There is a new educator portal password. Please reach out to info@oraef.org for access. Let us know if there are resources you would like to see. 2026-2027 Calendar 2026 October 20 Ohio Hospitality CTSO Leadership Lab October 27 Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, Mocktail Madness 2027 March 9 Ohio ProStart Invitational Virtual events coming soon! 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. Are you interested in bringing pre apprenticeship to your school next year? Email Abby Del Riesgo adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org Facebook Instagram LinkedIn TiktokThu, 15 Oct 2026 10:04:00 -0700http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/register-register-registerhttp://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/register-register-register Leadership Lab October 20! Registration closes Monday, October 12-get your students signed up today! Give your students a day to build confidence, strengthen their leadership skills, and connect with hospitality students from across Ohio! The third annual Ohio Hospitality Leadership Lab, presented by Sysco, will bring learning to life through hands-on activities and engaging leadership experiences students can take back to their classrooms, chapters, and future careers. Lunch is included! Chapter leaders will also attend a separate session that is a mandatory part of their chapter training. Make sure your chapter’s leaders are registered and ready to participate! Don’t wait—gather your students and register now. This is an opportunity you won’t want your chapter to miss! REGISTER HERE. Bring the talent. Bring the teamwork. Bring on the competition! It’s time for your students to put their skills to the test at Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, and Mocktail Madness! From bold flavors to eye-catching designs, these competitions give students the chance to showcase their creativity, build confidence, and represent your school. Join us on Tuesday, October 27 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. We’ve added some new elements to the competitions! See the rules to each competition below: Burger Battle Mocktail Madness Creative Cakes Creative Cakes- Bakers Edition The templates for the competition are in the educator portal. Get your teams together and Register Here! Give your students something to work toward—and a chance to show what they can do. Please register as soon as possible so that we ensure we have enough judges and volunteers for this event. October Office Hours - October 8th 2:30-3:30 Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the Educator Portal and its available resources! This is your opportunity to explore tools to support your classroom, ask questions, and share what additional resources would be helpful to you. Teams invites were sent yesterday afternoon! Reminder -continuing ed hours are given for attending monthly office hours! School Visits on the Way! Sonya is hitting the road in November and would love to visit your classroom! These visits are a chance to connect with you and your students, see what’s cooking, and hear how we can better support your ProStart program. Have a student project you want to show off, questions about upcoming opportunities, or resources you need? Let’s talk! She’ll be reaching out to schedule visits, but you’re welcome to email her at sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org to get yours on the calendar. Looking forward to seeing your students in action! Nominate an Educator or ProStart Student of the Year! Do you know an educator who goes above and beyond for their culinary and hospitality students? Or a ProStart student whose talent, leadership, and passion are taking them places? Help us give them the recognition they deserve! It’s that time of year to nominate an Outstanding Ohio Educator and ProStart Student! We will be celebrating our winners this year at the 2026 Industry Awards Winners will be honored at our annual Industry Awards on December 8. Nominate the ProStart Student of the Year 2026 HERE Nominate the Educator of the Year 2026 HERE Nominations close soon—nominate an outstanding educator or student today! Register Your Ohio Hospitality CTSO Chapter by October 31! Registration is open for the 2026–2027 school year, and membership remains $5 per student. Invoices will be sent this fall. Chapter leader submissions were due September 30. If you haven’t submitted your Leader, Vice Leader, and Social Ambassador, please do so as soon as possible. Please take the time to review the Guidebook HERE for refreshers on the program. Register HERE. Registration closes October 31! Take Your Students to the 2027 National Restaurant Association Show! Applications are now open for the High School Visitation Program at the 2027 National Restaurant Association Show, taking place May 22-25, 2027, at McCormick Place in Chicago. This unique opportunity allows culinary and hospitality students to explore 2,200+ exhibitors, attend chef demonstrations, connect with colleges and industry leaders, and experience the future of foodservice firsthand. Students and chaperones receive a special discounted rate of just $40 per person. Applications are due October 30, 2026, though schools may be accepted later as space allows. Interested schools applying after the deadline should contact Deryn Fink (Deryn.Fink@informa.com) to confirm availability. Watch the 2026 recap video and encourage your educators to apply today! Educator Portal There is a new educator portal password. Please reach out to info@oraef.org for access. Let us know if there are resources you would like to see. 2026-2027 Calendar 2026 October 20 Ohio Hospitality CTSO Leadership Lab October 27 Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, Mocktail Madness 2027 March 9 Ohio ProStart Invitational Virtual events coming soon! 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. Are you interested in bringing pre apprenticeship to your school next year? Email Abby Del Riesgo adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org Facebook Instagram LinkedIn TiktokThu, 08 Oct 2026 02:00:00 -0700http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/falling-into-fall-1http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/falling-into-fall-1 Could Your Students Make the Team at Pizza Expo Columbus? The Pizza Expo is coming to Columbus on October 11–12 & Ohio ProStart has an opportunity for two student teams to work alongside International Pizza Champion Michael LaMarca and the Master Pizza team. Chef LaMarca is a five-time national pizza competition winner and winner of Hulu’s Best in Dough. His team will prepare and serve pizza to thousands of Expo attendees, giving students a firsthand look at the skill and teamwork it takes to perform at that level. We’ll select one team of four to five students for each day. If you have students who are ready to jump in, work hard, and represent their school and Ohio ProStart, we want to hear about them! Email sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org and tell us why your team should be chosen. What would your students bring to Chef LaMarca’s team? Leadership Lab Registration is OPEN! Ohio Hospitality CTSO students from across the state will have the opportunity to participate in leadership experiences as well as hands-on activities during this exciting day of learning at the third annual Ohio Hospitality Leadership Lab presented by Sysco. More details to come! Lunch will be provided. Registration closes Monday, October 12th. REGISTER HERE. It’s here! It’s here! Competition season is here! Join us on Tuesday, October 27 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds as we host the Burger Battle, Mocktail Madness, Creative Cakes and Creative Cakes Bakers Edition events. We’ve added some new elements to the competitions! See the rules to each competition below: Burger Battle Mocktail Madness Creative Cakes Creative Cakes- Bakers Edition Registration is now open for October 27th! Register Here! Please register as soon as possible so that we ensure we have enough judges and volunteers for this event. Data Collection- Past Due! If your school is on this list, you are WAY PAST DUE! The schools below have NOT completed the survey. We will be reaching out to supervisors asking for their assistance to get this completed. Completing this survey is required to remain an active ProStart program and stay on our contact lists. If you run into any issues with it, reach out to sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org.  As of 9/30/26, the following schools below have NOT completed the survey: Columbiana County Career & Technical Center C-TEC - Career & Technology Education Center Delaware Area Career Center Greene County Career Center Lancaster High School Maritime Academy of Toledo Ohio Hi-Point Career Center Ohio School for the Deaf Pioneer Career & Technology Center Portage Lakes Career Center Stow-Munroe Falls High School Vantage Career Center West Shore Career-Technical District (In Progress) October Office Hours - October 8th 2:30-3:30 We will be reviewing the Updated Educator Portal beginning at 2:30 Meeting invites coming next week. Reminder -continuing ed hours are given for attending monthly office hours! Take Your Students to the 2027 National Restaurant Association Show! Applications are now open for the High School Visitation Program at the 2027 National Restaurant Association Show, taking place May 22-25, 2027, at McCormick Place in Chicago. This unique opportunity allows culinary and hospitality students to explore 2,200+ exhibitors, attend chef demonstrations, connect with colleges and industry leaders, and experience the future of foodservice firsthand. Students and chaperones receive a special discounted rate of just $40 per person. Applications are due October 30, 2026, though schools may be accepted later as space allows. Interested schools applying after the deadline should contact Deryn Fink (Deryn.Fink@informa.com) to confirm availability. Watch the 2026 recap video and encourage your educators to apply today! Ohio ProStart Invitational Rules Coming November 5! There is a new format to the rules as well as updates. If you plan on participating in the competition or observing, please complete the form here The following schools have already notified us: Polaris Career Center VSCTC- Sentinel Tri-County Career Center Shout Out Time! Earlier this week, Governor Mike DeWine, Fran Dewine and members of Cabinet stopped by Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services for a closer look at what makes our schools and students so unique. The day started with breakfast prepared and served by OSD culinary students! It was an opportunity to experience some of the strategies, tools and environments our students use every day — and to see firsthand the creativity, independence, collaboration, and skills they bring to the classroom and beyond. Industry Award Nomination's Now Open! It’s that time of year to nominate an Outstanding Ohio Educator and ProStart Student! We will be celebrating our winners this year at the 2026 Industry Awards Nominate the ProStart Student of the Year 2026 HERE Nominate the Educator of the Year 2026 HERE Ohio Hospitality CTSO Open for Registration! Sign ups for the Ohio Hospitality CTSO are available! The pricing is remaining at $5 per student for the 2026-2027 school year. Invoices for this will be sent in the Fall. Please take the time to review the Guidebook HERE for refreshers on the program, and begin plans for your students to hold officer elections for Leader, Vice Leader, and Social Ambassador in the fall. Register HERE. Leaders are now PAST DUE! Submit ASAP! Beef in the Classroom Grant The Beef in the Classroom Grant provides Ohio educators with up to $300 per school year to support lessons that incorporate cuts of beef. This program helps teachers bring real-world learning into their classrooms while reinforcing topics such as nutrition, food safety, culinary skills, agriculture, and science. Program Guidelines Eligibility: Open to all Ohio teachers who plan to use cuts of beef as part of a classroom lesson. Funding: Each teacher may receive up to $300 per school year. Use of Funds: Grant money may be used for beef products and any necessary supplies to complete the lessons. Educators may use a lesson from the Ohio Beef Council website or create their own. Funds may not be used for the purchase of live animals or to provide meals for students (such as banquets, class parties, or awards dinners). Application: Teachers must complete the online application and submit a lesson plan and budget for approval prior to purchase. Documentation: After the lesson, recipients will submit documentation, including a brief description of how beef was used in the classroom and copies of receipts. Specific instructions will be sent to recipients who are awarded grant funding. Timeline: Grant funds must be used by the end of the 2026–2027 school year. (Exceptions may be allowed, but reimbursement will only be made during this school year.) Limit: One grant per teacher, per school year. Questions: Please contact Anna Gest, Manager of Nutrition Education Programs. Ohio Beef - Back to School Teacher Resources Available From classroom lessons and educational materials to hands-on resources, Ohio Beef has tools to help students explore beef, agriculture, nutrition and careers in the industry. Explore resources and find materials for your classroom at ohiobeef.org/education. Educator Portal There is a new educator portal password. Please reach out to info@oraef.org for access. Let us know if there are resources you would like to see. 2026-2027 Calendar 2026 October 20 Ohio Hospitality CTSO Leadership Lab October 27 Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, Mocktail Madness 2027 March 9 Ohio ProStart Invitational Virtual events coming soon! 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. Are you interested in bringing pre apprenticeship to your school next year? Email Abby Del Riesgo adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org Facebook Instagram LinkedIn TiktokThu, 01 Oct 2026 10:54:00 -0700http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/burgers-cakes-mocktails-and-leadership-labregister-today-1http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/burgers-cakes-mocktails-and-leadership-labregister-today-1 The Pizza Expo is coming to Columbus on October 11–12—and we have an exciting, hands-on opportunity for ProStart students! We are looking for two student teams to work alongside International Pizza Champion Michael LaMarca and the Master Pizza team as they prepare and serve pizza to thousands of Expo attendees. Chef LaMarca is a five-time national pizza competition winner and winner of Hulu’s Best in Dough—so this is an incredible opportunity for students to learn from one of the best in the business! One team of four to five students is needed each day. Students will gain real-world experience in a fast-paced environment while supporting a nationally recognized pizza team. Do your students have what it takes to keep up with a master pizza maker? Email sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org and tell us why your team should be selected for this unforgettable experience! Check out this article by students from Lakewood High School The Lakewood Times Leadership Lab Registration is OPEN! Ohio Hospitality CTSO students from across the state will have the opportunity to participate in leadership experiences as well as hands-on activities during this exciting day of learning at the third annual Ohio Hospitality Leadership Lab presented by Sysco. More details to come! Lunch will be provided. Registration closes Monday, October 12th. REGISTER HERE. Competition Season is Almost Here! We’ve added some new elements to the competitions! See the rules to each competition below: Burger Battle Mocktail Madness Creative Cakes Creative Cakes- Bakers Edition Registration is now open for October 27th! Register Here! Data Collection- Past Due! Data collection for the 2026 – 2027 school year is PAST DUE! Reminders were sent Tuesday. The survey needs to be completed by Tuesday, September 22. Emails including the annual survey came from the following email address - prostartdatabase@nraef.org. It's a 26-question survey asking about your program. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. These answers are used by the National Restaurant Association to evaluate and support ProStart nationwide. Completing this survey is required to remain an active ProStart program and stay on our contact lists. If you run into any issues with it, reach out to sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org.  As of 9/22/26, the following schools below have NOT completed the survey: Columbiana County Career & Technical Center C-TEC - Career & Technology Education Center Delaware Area Career Center Greene County Career Center Lancaster High School Maritime Academy of Toledo Ohio Hi-Point Career Center Ohio School for the Deaf Pioneer Career & Technology Center Portage Lakes Career Center Stow-Munroe Falls High School Vantage Career Center Wayne County Schools Career Center West Shore Career-Technical District Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant application Closes TONIGHT! Funding from Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant provides schools the opportunity to upgrade or purchase new resources, build up their classrooms in preparation for return to school, and support teachers with whatever they need to help their students learn career-building skills. Apply here. Application closes September 24 at 11:59pm Normandy High School and Ohio Valley Career Center both received $5,000 in the fall of 2025! Industry Award Nomination's Now Open! It’s that time of year to nominate an Outstanding Ohio Educator and ProStart Student! We will be celebrating our winners this year at the 2026 Industry Awards Nominate the ProStart Student of the Year 2026 HERE Nominate the Educator of the Year 2026 HERE September is National Food Safety Month! Week 4: Personal Hygiene Food safety is in your team's hands, literally. Week 4 of our Recipe for Food Safety Success focuses on personal hygiene, one of the most important defenses against contamination in any foodservice operation. From proper handwashing and glove use to employee health policies and professional appearance standards, these everyday habits help protect guests and reinforce a culture of food safety. Download the bundle for practical tools and resources that help your team maintain high hygiene standards and make safe practices part of every shift, every day. Download the meterials HERE. What Servsafe courses do you teach? Please complete this short survey! To celebrate National Food Safety Month, enjoy 20% off select ServSafe Manager and Food Handler products during September with code NFSM2026. Don't miss this limited-time opportunity to invest in the training and resources that help strengthen food safety knowledge and support your team's continued success. Ohio Hospitality CTSO Open for Registration! Sign ups for the Ohio Hospitality CTSO are available! The pricing is remaining at $5 per student for the 2026-2027 school year. Invoices for this will be sent in the Fall. Please take the time to review the Guidebook HERE for refreshers on the program, and begin plans for your students to hold officer elections for Leader, Vice Leader, and Social Ambassador in the fall. Register HERE. Leaders are due by September 30! Beef in the Classroom Grant The Beef in the Classroom Grant provides Ohio educators with up to $300 per school year to support lessons that incorporate cuts of beef. This program helps teachers bring real-world learning into their classrooms while reinforcing topics such as nutrition, food safety, culinary skills, agriculture, and science. Program Guidelines Eligibility: Open to all Ohio teachers who plan to use cuts of beef as part of a classroom lesson. Funding: Each teacher may receive up to $300 per school year. Use of Funds: Grant money may be used for beef products and any necessary supplies to complete the lessons. Educators may use a lesson from the Ohio Beef Council website or create their own. Funds may not be used for the purchase of live animals or to provide meals for students (such as banquets, class parties, or awards dinners). Application: Teachers must complete the online application and submit a lesson plan and budget for approval prior to purchase. Documentation: After the lesson, recipients will submit documentation, including a brief description of how beef was used in the classroom and copies of receipts. Specific instructions will be sent to recipients who are awarded grant funding. Timeline: Grant funds must be used by the end of the 2026–2027 school year. (Exceptions may be allowed, but reimbursement will only be made during this school year.) Limit: One grant per teacher, per school year. Questions: Please contact Anna Gest, Manager of Nutrition Education Programs. Ohio Beef - Back to School Teacher Resources Available From classroom lessons and educational materials to hands-on resources, Ohio Beef has tools to help students explore beef, agriculture, nutrition and careers in the industry. Explore resources and find materials for your classroom at ohiobeef.org/education. Educator Portal There is a new educator portal password. Please reach out to info@oraef.org for access. Let us know if there are resources you would like to see. 2026-2027 Calendar 2026 September 25 Teacher Institute October 20 Ohio Hospitality CTSO Leadership Lab October 27 Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, Mocktail Madness 2027 March 9 Ohio ProStart Invitational Virtual events coming soon! 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. Are you interested in bringing pre apprenticeship to your school next year? Email Abby Del Riesgo adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org Facebook Instagram LinkedIn TiktokThu, 24 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0700http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/industry-award-nominations-now-openhttp://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/industry-award-nominations-now-openTeacher Institute - Friday, September 25 We are excited to partner with Zink Foodservice Columbus for our Teacher Institute on September 25. Looking to stay overnight? Here is a list of nearby hotels. Registration is still open! Sign up HERE. Topic agenda HERE. Final Agenda and additonal details coming TOMORROW. Competition Season is Almost Here! We’ve added some new elements to the competitions! See the rules to each competition below: Burger Battle Mocktail Madness Creative Cakes Creative Cakes- Bakers Edition Registration is now open for October 27th! Register Here! Data Collection- Past Due! Data collection for the 2026 – 2027 school year is PAST DUE! Reminders were sent Tuesday. The survey needs to be completed by Tuesday, September 22. Emails including the annual survey came from the following email address - prostartdatabase@nraef.org. It's a 26-question survey asking about your program. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. These answers are used by the National Restaurant Association to evaluate and support ProStart nationwide. Completing this survey is required to remain an active ProStart program and stay on our contact lists. If you run into any issues with it, reach out to sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org.  As of 9/16/26, the following schools below have NOT completed the survey: Columbiana County Career & Technical Center C-TEC - Career & Technology Education Center Delaware Area Career Center EHOVE Career Center Greene County Career Center Heights Career Technical Consortium; Warrensville Heights City Lancaster High School Madison Comprehensive High School Mahoning County Career & Technical Center Maritime Academy of Toledo Millstream Career Center Ohio Hi-Point Career Center Ohio School for the Deaf Pioneer Career & Technology Center Ponitz Career Technology Center Portage Lakes Career Center Stow-Munroe Falls High School Springfield Clark Career Technology Center Vanguard Career and Technology Center Vantage Career Center Wayne County Schools Career Center West Shore Career-Technical District Whitmer - CTC; Washington Local Schools The Pizza Expo is coming to Columbus on October 11–12—and we have an exciting, hands-on opportunity for ProStart students! We are looking for two student teams to work alongside International Pizza Champion Michael LaMarca and the Master Pizza team as they prepare and serve pizza to thousands of Expo attendees. Chef LaMarca is a five-time national pizza competition winner and winner of Hulu’s Best in Dough—so this is an incredible opportunity for students to learn from one of the best in the business! One team of four to five students is needed each day. Students will gain real-world experience in a fast-paced environment while supporting a nationally recognized pizza team. Do your students have what it takes to keep up with a master pizza maker? Email sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org and tell us why your team should be selected for this unforgettable experience! Check out this article by students from Lakewood High School The Lakewood Times Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant application Closes in One Week! Funding from Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant provides schools the opportunity to upgrade or purchase new resources, build up their classrooms in preparation for return to school, and support teachers with whatever they need to help their students learn career-building skills. Apply here. Application closes September 24 at 11:59pm Normandy High School and Ohio Valley Career Center both received $5,000 in the fall of 2025! Industry Award Nomination's Now Open! It’s that time of year to nominate an Outstanding Ohio Educator and ProStart Student! We will be celebrating our winners this year at the 2026 Industry Awards Nominate the ProStart Student of the Year 2026 HERE Nominate the Educator of the Year 2026 HERE September is National Food Safety Month! Week 3: Cross-Contamination Cross-contamination can occur anywhere in an operation, making it essential for every team member to understand their role in preventing it. This week of our Recipe for Food Safety Success focuses on the daily practices that help keep harmful bacteria, viruses, and allergens from spreading between food, surfaces, equipment, and employees. Download this weeks bundle for practical tools and resources that reinforce safe food handling habits and help protect guests with every meal served. Download the meterials HERE. What Servsafe courses do you teach? Please complete this short survey! To celebrate National Food Safety Month, enjoy 20% off select ServSafe Manager and Food Handler products during September with code NFSM2026. Don't miss this limited-time opportunity to invest in the training and resources that help strengthen food safety knowledge and support your team's continued success. Ohio Hospitality CTSO Open for Registration! Sign ups for the Ohio Hospitality CTSO are available! The pricing is remaining at $5 per student for the 2026-2027 school year. Invoices for this will be sent in the Fall. Please take the time to review the Guidebook HERE for refreshers on the program, and begin plans for your students to hold officer elections for Leader, Vice Leader, and Social Ambassador in the fall. Register HERE. Leaders are due by September 30! Beef in the Classroom Grant The Beef in the Classroom Grant provides Ohio educators with up to $300 per school year to support lessons that incorporate cuts of beef. This program helps teachers bring real-world learning into their classrooms while reinforcing topics such as nutrition, food safety, culinary skills, agriculture, and science. Program Guidelines Eligibility: Open to all Ohio teachers who plan to use cuts of beef as part of a classroom lesson. Funding: Each teacher may receive up to $300 per school year. Use of Funds: Grant money may be used for beef products and any necessary supplies to complete the lessons. Educators may use a lesson from the Ohio Beef Council website or create their own. Funds may not be used for the purchase of live animals or to provide meals for students (such as banquets, class parties, or awards dinners). Application: Teachers must complete the online application and submit a lesson plan and budget for approval prior to purchase. Documentation: After the lesson, recipients will submit documentation, including a brief description of how beef was used in the classroom and copies of receipts. Specific instructions will be sent to recipients who are awarded grant funding. Timeline: Grant funds must be used by the end of the 2026–2027 school year. (Exceptions may be allowed, but reimbursement will only be made during this school year.) Limit: One grant per teacher, per school year. Questions: Please contact Anna Gest, Manager of Nutrition Education Programs. Ohio Beef - Back to School Teacher Resources Available From classroom lessons and educational materials to hands-on resources, Ohio Beef has tools to help students explore beef, agriculture, nutrition and careers in the industry. Explore resources and find materials for your classroom at ohiobeef.org/education. Educator Portal There is a new educator portal password. Please reach out to info@oraef.org for access. Let us know if there are resources you would like to see. 2026-2027 Calendar 2026 September 25 Teacher Institute October 20 Ohio Hospitality CTSO Leadership Lab October 27 Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, Mocktail Madness 2027 March 9 Ohio ProStart Invitational Virtual events coming soon! 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. Are you interested in bringing pre apprenticeship to your school next year? Email Abby Del Riesgo adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Tiktok Thu, 17 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0700http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/teacher-institute-september-25http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/teacher-institute-september-25Teacher Institute - Friday, September 25 We are excited to partner with Zink Foodservice Columbus for our Teacher Institute on September 25. Looking to stay overnight? Here is a list of nearby hotels. Registration is still open! Sign up HERE. Topic agenda HERE. Final Agenda and additonal details coming next week. Data Collection- Due TODAY! Data collection for the 2026 – 2027 school year has officially launched! Emails including the annual survey came from the following email address - prostartdatabase@nraef.org. It's a 26-question survey asking about your program. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. These answers are used by the National Restaurant Association to evaluate and support ProStart nationwide. Completing this survey is required to remain an active ProStart program and stay on our contact lists. If you run into any issues with it, reach out to sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org.  Thank you to the following schools who have completed the survey: A-Tech Ashtabula County Technical & Career Campus Bedford High School Columbus Downtown High School Elkton Board of Prisons Euclid High School Gilbert A Dater High School Jackson High School Jefferson County JVS Lima Senior High School; Lima City Board of Education Lorain High School McKinley Senior High School Normandy High School Ohio Valley School District Penta Career Center Polaris Career Center R.G. Drage Career Technical Center Sentinel Career & Tech Tolles Career & Technical Center Tri-County Career Center Upper Valley Career Center New This Year: Optional Survey An additional, optional short survey will appear once the standard survey is completed. The optional survey is focused on gaining information about the educator and offers you an opportunity to provide us with feedback through multiple open-ended questions. Competition Season is Coming! We’ve added some new elements to the competitions! See the rules to each competition below: Burger Battle Mocktail Madness Creative Cakes Creative Cakes- Bakers Edition Registration is now open for October 27th! Register Here! September is National Food Safety Month! Week 2: Proper Cleaning and Sanitizing In every professional kitchen, mise en place means having everything in its place before the work begins. The same principle applies to food safety and the foundational practices that create a safe, organized environment for food preparation. When equipment, surfaces, and workstations are properly cleaned and sanitized, teams are better prepared to prevent contamination, reduce food safety risks, and deliver safe food with confidence. Download this week's bundle for practical tools and reminders that help make cleaning and sanitizing part of your operation's daily mise en place, setting the stage for food safety success every shift, every day. Download the meterials HERE. What Servsafe courses do you teach? Please complete this short survey! Join us live, or view on demand our upcoming webinar, Prerequisites for Creating an Authentic Food Safety Culture, September 15th at 2:00 ET. Learn the essential prerequisites for building an authentic food safety culture that supports compliance, strengthens operational performance, and helps prevent foodborne illness. Register HERE. To celebrate National Food Safety Month, enjoy 20% off select ServSafe Manager and Food Handler products during September with code NFSM2026. Don't miss this limited-time opportunity to invest in the training and resources that help strengthen food safety knowledge and support your team's continued success. Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant application is Open! Funding from Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant provides schools the opportunity to upgrade or purchase new resources, build up their classrooms in preparation for return to school, and support teachers with whatever they need to help their students learn career-building skills. Apply here. Application closes September 24 at 11:59pm Normandy High School and Ohio Valley Career Center both received $5,000 in the fall of 2025! Ohio Hospitality CTSO Open for Registration! Sign ups for the Ohio Hospitality CTSO are available! The pricing is remaining at $5 per student for the 2026-2027 school year. Invoices for this will be sent in the Fall. Please take the time to review the Guidebook HERE for refreshers on the program, and begin plans for your students to hold officer elections for Leader, Vice Leader, and Social Ambassador in the fall. Register HERE. Leaders are due by September 30! Beef in the Classroom Grant The Beef in the Classroom Grant provides Ohio educators with up to $300 per school year to support lessons that incorporate cuts of beef. This program helps teachers bring real-world learning into their classrooms while reinforcing topics such as nutrition, food safety, culinary skills, agriculture, and science. Program Guidelines Eligibility: Open to all Ohio teachers who plan to use cuts of beef as part of a classroom lesson. Funding: Each teacher may receive up to $300 per school year. Use of Funds: Grant money may be used for beef products and any necessary supplies to complete the lessons. Educators may use a lesson from the Ohio Beef Council website or create their own. Funds may not be used for the purchase of live animals or to provide meals for students (such as banquets, class parties, or awards dinners). Application: Teachers must complete the online application and submit a lesson plan and budget for approval prior to purchase. Documentation: After the lesson, recipients will submit documentation, including a brief description of how beef was used in the classroom and copies of receipts. Specific instructions will be sent to recipients who are awarded grant funding. Timeline: Grant funds must be used by the end of the 2026–2027 school year. (Exceptions may be allowed, but reimbursement will only be made during this school year.) Limit: One grant per teacher, per school year. Questions: Please contact Anna Gest, Manager of Nutrition Education Programs. Ohio Beef - Back to School Teacher Resources Available From classroom lessons and educational materials to hands-on resources, Ohio Beef has tools to help students explore beef, agriculture, nutrition and careers in the industry. Explore resources and find materials for your classroom at ohiobeef.org/education. Educator Portal There is a new educator portal password. Please reach out to info@oraef.org for access. Let us know if there are resources you would like to see. 2026-2027 Calendar 2026 September 25 Teacher Institute October 20 Ohio Hospitality CTSO Leadership Lab October 27 Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, Mocktail Madness 2027 March 9 Ohio ProStart Invitational Virtual events coming soon! 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. Are you interested in bringing pre apprenticeship to your school next year? Email Abby Del Riesgo adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Tiktok Thu, 10 Sep 2026 06:43:00 -0700http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/so-much-is-happening-1http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/so-much-is-happening-1 September is National Food Safety Month! Every great recipe starts with a strong foundation. Download our first Food Safety Recipe, "Our Food Safety Culture: How We Do Things Around Here, Every Shift, Every Person," HERE and learn how to make food safety part of every decision, every shift, every day. What Servsafe courses do you teach? Please complete this short survey! Join us live, or view on demand our upcoming webinar, Prerequisites for Creating an Authentic Food Safety Culture, September 15th at 2:00 ET. Learn the essential prerequisites for building an authentic food safety culture that supports compliance, strengthens operational performance, and helps prevent foodborne illness. Register HERE. To celebrate National Food Safety Month, enjoy 20% off select ServSafe Manager and Food Handler products during September with code NFSM2026. Don't miss this limited-time opportunity to invest in the training and resources that help strengthen food safety knowledge and support your team's continued success. September Office Hours Today! Thursday, September 3 – 2:30-3:30. Agenda and Teams invite have been sent out Email sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org with any topics you would like to discuss at our upcoming office hours. Data Collection Data collection for the 2026 – 2027 school year has officially launched! Emails including the annual survey came from the following email address - prostartdatabase@nraef.org. It's a 26-question survey asking about your program. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. These answers are used by the National Restaurant Association to evaluate and support ProStart nationwide. Completing this survey is required to remain an active ProStart program and stay on our contact lists. If you run into any issues with it, reach out to sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org. It is due by September 10! Thank you to the following schools who have completed the survey: A-Tech Ashtabula County Technical & Career Campus Columbus Downtown High School Elkton Board of Prisons Euclid High School Jackson High School Jefferson County JVS Lima Senior High School; Lima City Board of Education Lorain High School McKinley Senior High School Normandy High School Ohio Valley School District Penta Career Center Polaris Career Center R.G. Drage Career Technical Center Sentinel Career & Tech Upper Valley Career Center New This Year: Optional Survey An additional, optional short survey will appear once the standard survey is completed. The optional survey is focused on gaining information about the educator and offers you an opportunity to provide us with feedback through multiple open-ended questions. Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant application is Open! Funding from Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant provides schools the opportunity to upgrade or purchase new resources, build up their classrooms in preparation for return to school, and support teachers with whatever they need to help their students learn career-building skills. Apply here. Application closes September 24 at 11:59pm Normandy High School and Ohio Valley Career Center both received $5,000 in the fall of 2025! Teacher Institute - Friday, September 25 Mark your calendars – Teacher Institute is being held September 25 at Zink Foodservice in Columbus. Registration is open! Sign up HERE. Topic agenda HERE. Ohio Hospitality CTSO Open for Registration! Sign ups for the Ohio Hospitality CTSO are available! The pricing is remaining at $5 per student for the 2026-2027 school year. Invoices for this will be sent in the Fall. Please take the time to review the Guidebook HERE for refreshers on the program, and begin plans for your students to hold officer elections for Leader, Vice Leader, and Social Ambassador in the fall. Register HERE. Leaders are due by September 30! Beef in the Classroom Grant The Beef in the Classroom Grant provides Ohio educators with up to $300 per school year to support lessons that incorporate cuts of beef. This program helps teachers bring real-world learning into their classrooms while reinforcing topics such as nutrition, food safety, culinary skills, agriculture, and science. Program Guidelines Eligibility: Open to all Ohio teachers who plan to use cuts of beef as part of a classroom lesson. Funding: Each teacher may receive up to $300 per school year. Use of Funds: Grant money may be used for beef products and any necessary supplies to complete the lessons. Educators may use a lesson from the Ohio Beef Council website or create their own. Funds may not be used for the purchase of live animals or to provide meals for students (such as banquets, class parties, or awards dinners). Application: Teachers must complete the online application and submit a lesson plan and budget for approval prior to purchase. Documentation: After the lesson, recipients will submit documentation, including a brief description of how beef was used in the classroom and copies of receipts. Specific instructions will be sent to recipients who are awarded grant funding. Timeline: Grant funds must be used by the end of the 2026–2027 school year. (Exceptions may be allowed, but reimbursement will only be made during this school year.) Limit: One grant per teacher, per school year. Questions: Please contact Anna Gest, Manager of Nutrition Education Programs. Ohio Beef - Back to School Teacher Resources Available From classroom lessons and educational materials to hands-on resources, Ohio Beef has tools to help students explore beef, agriculture, nutrition and careers in the industry. Explore resources and find materials for your classroom at ohiobeef.org/education. Educator Portal There is a new educator portal password. Please reach out to info@oraef.org for access. Let us know if there are resources you would like to see. 2026-2027 Calendar 2026 September 25 Teacher Institute October 20 Ohio Hospitality CTSO Leadership Lab October 27 Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, Mocktail Madness 2027 March 9 Ohio ProStart Invitational Virtual events coming soon! 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. Are you interested in bringing pre apprenticeship to your school next year? Email Abby Del Riesgo adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org Show your students the limitless opportunities available in the Hospitality Industry! RestaurantsWork does just that! Students can search by position and see the growth available. They can also search by zip code to see how many opportunities are available where they live. Check it out here! Facebook Instagram LinkedIn TiktokThu, 03 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0700http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/first-week-backhttp://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/first-week-back What ServSafe Courses Do You Teach? Please complete this short survey! Data Collection Data collection for the 2026 – 2027 school year has officially launched! This week, you'll receive an email from prostartdatabase@nraef.org with a link to the annual ProStart survey. It's a 26-question survey asking about your program. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. These answers are used by the National Restaurant Association to evaluate and support ProStart nationwide. Completing this survey is required to remain an active ProStart program and stay on our contact lists. If you run into any issues with it, reach out to sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org. It is due by September 10! New This Year: Optional Survey An additional, optional short survey will appear once the standard survey is completed. The optional survey is focused on gaining information about the educator and offers you an opportunity to provide us with feedback through multiple open-ended questions. Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant application is now Open! Funding from Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant provides schools the opportunity to upgrade or purchase new resources, build up their classrooms in preparation for return to school, and support teachers with whatever they need to help their students learn career-building skills. Apply here. Application closes September 24 at 11:59pm Normandy High School and Ohio Valley Career Center both received $5,000 in the fall of 2025! Ohio Department of Education & Workforce (ODEW) Update Industry-Recognized Credentials for Class of 2030 & Beyond ODEW has recently updated the Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRC) process for the Class of 2030 and beyond. Our team is working directly with ODEW as we re-certify ProStart as an IRC pathway to graduation. The new changes do not impact the Class of 2027, 2028 and 2029. Read more here. Teacher Institute - Friday, September 25 Mark your calendars – Teacher Institute is being held September 25 at Zink Foodservice in Columbus. Registration is open! Sign up HERE. Final agenda to come next week. A big thank you to the following educators who have already signed up: Tracey Funk Katie Mosher Sarah Elston Andrea Sheerin Nick Shuler Christopher Olsewski Tamera Burnett-Penny Christie Gibbons Iann Johnson Susan Zeyer Terra Dahlhausen Lauren Bondrowski Glen Zalenski Stephanie Kunkel Kathy Diederich Daniel Esquivel Emily Lewis Shanequa Crowe Nick Linthicum Frank Lawrie Minear Kate Cole Janea Makowski September Office Hours Thursday, September 3 – 2:30-3:30. Email sdelaney@ohiorestaurant.org with any topics you would like to discuss. Agenda and Teams invite coming next week. Beef in the Classroom Grant The Beef in the Classroom Grant provides Ohio educators with up to $300 per school year to support lessons that incorporate cuts of beef. This program helps teachers bring real-world learning into their classrooms while reinforcing topics such as nutrition, food safety, culinary skills, agriculture, and science. Program Guidelines Eligibility: Open to all Ohio teachers who plan to use cuts of beef as part of a classroom lesson. Funding: Each teacher may receive up to $300 per school year. Use of Funds: Grant money may be used for beef products and any necessary supplies to complete the lessons. Educators may use a lesson from the Ohio Beef Council website or create their own. Funds may not be used for the purchase of live animals or to provide meals for students (such as banquets, class parties, or awards dinners). Application: Teachers must complete the online application and submit a lesson plan and budget for approval prior to purchase. Documentation: After the lesson, recipients will submit documentation, including a brief description of how beef was used in the classroom and copies of receipts. Specific instructions will be sent to recipients who are awarded grant funding. Timeline: Grant funds must be used by the end of the 2026–2027 school year. (Exceptions may be allowed, but reimbursement will only be made during this school year.) Limit: One grant per teacher, per school year. Questions: Please contact Anna Gest, Manager of Nutrition Education Programs. Ohio Beef - Back to School Teacher Resources Available From classroom lessons and educational materials to hands-on resources, Ohio Beef has tools to help students explore beef, agriculture, nutrition and careers in the industry. Explore resources and find materials for your classroom at ohiobeef.org/education. Ohio Hospitality CTSO Open for Registration! Sign ups for the Ohio Hospitality CTSO are available! The pricing is remaining at $5 per student for the 2026-2027 school year. Invoices for this will be sent in the Fall. Please take the time to review the Guidebook HERE for refreshers on the program, and begin plans for your students to hold officer ellections for Leader, Vice Leader, and Social Ambassador in the fall. Register HERE. Leaders are due by September 30! Educator Portal There is a new educator portal password. Please reach out to info@oraef.org for access. Let us know if there are resources you would like to see. 2026-2027 Calendar 2026 September 25 Teacher Institute October 20 Ohio Hospitality CTSO Leadership Lab October 27 Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, Mocktail Madness 2027 March 9 Ohio ProStart Invitational Virtual events coming soon! 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. Are you interested in bringing pre apprenticeship to your school next year? Email Abby Del Riesgo adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org Show your students the limitless opportunities available in the Hospitality Industry! RestaurantsWork does just that! Students can search by position and see the growth available. They can also search by zip code to see how many opportunities are available where they live. Check it out here! Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Tiktok Thu, 27 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0700http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/welcome-back-2http://www.hospitalityohio.org/blog/post/welcome-back-2 Jenn Bushby named Director of the Hospitality Institute of Ohio, Sonya Delaney promoted to Senior Manager of Workforce Programs & Operations Jenn Bushby has been named Director of the Hospitality Institute of Ohio, the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance (ORHA) workforce development foundation. Jenn began her ORHA career in the Membership Department before serving most recently as Senior Manager of Communications. As Director of Hospitality Ohio, Jenn will lead programs and initiatives that strengthen Ohio’s hospitality workforce by expanding career awareness, workforce education, industry training and employer engagement. Her leadership will help position Hospitality Ohio as the state’s premier workforce development resource for the hospitality industry. As part of this organizational transition, Sonya Delaney has been promoted to Senior Manager of Workforce Programs and Operations and Abby Del Riesgo is assuming the role of Events & Engagement Coordinator. Sonya has assumed additional responsibilities since Patty’s retirement and has done an outstanding job ensuring the continuity of our workforce initiatives, including ProStart, CTOS, HOPES, Restaurant Ready and other key programs. This promotion recognizes both her contributions and the important leadership role she will continue to play as Hospitality Ohio grows. Abby has continued to expand her impact through her work supporting events, engagement and organizational initiatives. Data Collection It’s time to complete the data collection for ProStart. Completing the survey ensures your students are eligible to earn the COA, provides you (the educator) the opportunity to apply for grants such as the Rachael Ray grant, Educator Scholarships/Grants, incentives and more. When you receive the link, please make this a priority. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. You will be receiving the survey next week. Ohio Department of Education & Workforce (ODEW) Update Industry-Recognized Credentials for Class of 2030 & Beyond ODEW has recently updated the Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRC) process for the Class of 2030 and beyond. Our team is working directly with ODEW as we re-certify ProStart as an IRC pathway to graduation. The new changes do not impact the Class of 2027, 2028 and 2029. Read more here. Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant application is now Open! Funding from Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant provides schools the opportunity to upgrade or purchase new resources, build up their classrooms in preparation for return to school, and support teachers with whatever they need to help their students learn career-building skills. Apply here. Normandy High School and Ohio Valley Career Center both received $5000 in the fall of 2025! Teacher Institute - Friday, September 25 Mark your calendars – Teacher Institute is being held September 25 at Zink Foodservice in Columbus. Registration is open! Sign up HERE. A big thank you to the following educators who have already signed up: Tracey Funk Katie Mosher Sarah Elston Andrea Sheerin Nick Shuler Christopher Olsewski Tamera Burnett-Penny Christie Gibbons Iann Johnson Susan Zeyer Terra Dahlhausen Lauren Bondrowski Glen Zalenski Stephanie Kunkel Kathy Diederich Daniel Esquivel Emily Lewis Shanequa Crowe Nick Linthicum Frank Lawrie Minear Please take the survey HERE to let us know what topics you want to go over at Teacher Institute. Ohio Hospitality CTSO Open for Registration! Sign ups for the Ohio Hospitality CTSO are available! The pricing is remaining at $5 per student for the 2026-2027 school year. Invoices for this will be sent in the Fall. Please take the time to review the Guidebook HERE for refreshers on the program, and begin plans for your students to hold officer ellections for Leader, Vice Leader, and Social Ambassador in the fall. Register HERE. Educator Portal There is a new educator portal password. Please reach out to info@oraef.org for access. Let us know if there are resources you would like to see. 2026-2027 Calendar 2026 September 25 Teacher Institute October 20 Ohio Hospitality CTSO Leadership Lab October 27 Burger Battle, Creative Cakes, Mocktail Madness 2027 March 9 Ohio ProStart Invitational Virtual events coming soon! 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. Are you interested in bringing pre apprenticeship to your school next year? Email Abby Del Riesgo adelriesgo@ohiorestaurant.org Show your students the limitless opportunities available in the Hospitality Industry! RestaurantsWork does just that! Students can search by position and see the growth available. They can also search by zip code to see how many opportunities are available where they live. Check it out here! 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. Facebook Instagram LinkedIn TiktokThu, 20 Aug 2026 04:08:00 -0700