Description

Team / Student Registration: 

Open Registration for ProStart Teams/Schools - Registration opens September 15th, 2025 and closes on October 31st, 2025 at 5:00 PM.

Individual Competitions (All) - *If spaces are still available* registration will open to ALL Virginia culinary students for Individual Competitions on October 15th, 2025 and closes on December 1st, 2025 at 5:00 PM. 

Sponsor / Exhibitor Registration:

Sponsor and Career Fair Exhibitor registration closes on January 15th, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Field Trip Registration:

Field trip registration will close on January 15th, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

The 2026 Virginia ProStart Invitational is composed of two distinct competitions—management and culinary—that showcase the most important skills needed on both sides of the restaurant and foodservice industry, front-of-the-house and behind the scenes in the kitchen.

The Culinary Competition highlights the creative abilities of teams through the preparation of a three-course meal in just 60 minutes, using only two butane burners with no access to running water or electricity. There’s no room for error as they’re evaluated on taste, skill, teamwork, safety, and sanitation.

The Management Competition asks teams to develop a proposal for the next hot restaurant concept and present it to a panel of industry judges. The team's ability to think on their feet is also tested as they quickly solve challenges managers face on a daily basis.