Why wasn’t I doing this in high school?!
High school seems so long ago these days (*almost 20 years removed, where did the time go?!). It took attending the National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) for me to reminisce about my whereabouts during high school. Let me just say I was not as focused as the students participating in this program. NPSI is the country’s premier high school competition for restaurant management and culinary arts. The event is hosted annually by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation in various cities around the country. This year, the competition graced the District with its presence.
This being my first year as a Top Chef binge-watcher and a new parent, this competition truly stole my attention. I love it. Basically, it is setup in a Top Chef-y style battle between high school students across the country. The competition is broken down into two parts: culinary arts students and management students. The culinary arts students create the meals to be judged (*by notable chefs and instructors) and served while the management students create the restaurant concepts, design and layout. This is absolutely a program I would want my child to be involved in.
Though the prep to actual competition day is intense (*Monday thru Friday weekly practice for two years), it is well worth it and teaches skills that are unparalled. I appreciate the fact that it gives students a leg up in this profession. If they are looking to pursue a career in hospitality or culinary arts, this is certainly the place to start. Offered in public high schools across the country, the program is funded by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
Why was this not around during my high school days?! Granted I only began putting spatula to pan at the age of 19, I am sure I could have benefited from this program. It would have been nice to at least have a couple of buddies who knew how to whip up a proper soufflé…
*More deets on the program here.
Category: Announcements, Food.Fun.Stuff., Washington D.C.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.Subscribe
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