Arkansas high school competition

2027 Arkansas ProStart Competition

High school culinary and restaurant management teams put their skills, creativity, and teamwork to the test for the opportunity to represent Arkansas on the national stage.

Competition dateWednesday, February 17, 2027

LocationNational Park College
Hot Springs

Two competition tracks

Real-world skills under pressure

Student teams bring classroom learning to life before industry judges. Each track rewards preparation, professionalism, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Culinary Competition

Teams demonstrate culinary technique, organization, food safety, menu execution, and the ability to deliver a polished dining concept in a live competition setting.

Restaurant Management Competition

Teams develop and present a restaurant concept, showing their command of operations, marketing, costing, critical thinking, and persuasive presentation.

2025 state results

Celebrating Arkansas student achievement

Bentonville Ignite and Bentonville West earned first place in their divisions and represented Arkansas at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore.

Culinary competition

1. Bentonville Ignite
2. Metropolitan Career Technical Center
3. Bentonville West High School

Restaurant management competition

1. Bentonville West High School
2. Metropolitan Career Technical Center

State placements reported in the March 17, 2025 AHA Moment.

Educator recognition · 2024

Chef Tara Rainey

Metropolitan Career Technical Center educator Chef Tara Rainey was recognized as Arkansas ProStart Teacher of the Year in 2024.

Read the Little Rock School District recognition →

The road to nationals

Arkansas winners advance

The winning culinary and restaurant management teams earn the opportunity to represent Arkansas at the National ProStart Invitational with top student teams from across the country.

2027 National ProStart InvitationalApril 23 to 25 · Baltimore, Maryland

Arkansas teams compete, connect with industry leaders, and showcase the talent growing in our state's classrooms.

Arkansas teams in action

Competition creates opportunity

ProStart students gain experience that reaches well beyond the competition floor, building leadership, career awareness, and a direct connection to the hospitality industry.

Arkansas culinary students representing their school and state.

Restaurant management students presenting their concept at nationals.

Bring your school or business into the competition

Contact AHA for school participation, judging, volunteer, and sponsorship information, or learn more about Arkansas ProStart.

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