Scholarship Opportunities To Follow

How It Works

Delaware ProStart Student Invitational

The Delaware ProStart Invitational® (DPSI) is the state’s premier secondary school competition focused on restaurant management and culinary arts. Annually, nearly 100 student competitors put their skills to the test in front of industry leaders, DRAEF Trustees, post-secondary institutions, and family and friends – all with hopes of earning coveted scholarships from the state’s best culinary and restaurant management programs.

About ProStart®

​ProStart® is a nationwide, two-year industry-written curriculum for high school students reaching 140,000 in 1,800 schools. It is designed to teach high school students culinary and management skills needed for a career in the restaurant and food-service industry. ProStart students earn valuable industry certifications and 400 hours of paid work experience in area restaurants and foodservice establishments.
​
​Highly trained ProStart educators develop students into future leaders, teaching them applied skills to become top competitors in the food-service industry. These students are trained to be the best and brightest, learning from an industry-driven curriculum that builds real-world skills. Students gain hands-on experience and an opportunity to receive a nationally accredited Certificate of Achievement upon completion. 

Learn more about the ProStart Program.

Delaware ProStart Schools

• AI duPont
• Appoquinimink
• Brandywine
• Caesar Rodney
• Cape Henlopen
• Delcastle
• Dover
• Hodgson
• Howard
• Lake Forest​

• Laurel
• McKean
• Middletown
• Mount Pleasant
• Odessa
• Polytech
• Seaford
• Smyrna
• St. Georges
• William Penn

Become a ProStart Student Mentor

ProStart mentors can be owners, managers, chefs, supervisors, vendors and others. Mentors are not only a guide for students, but will also assist ProStart® educators. The opportunity to be a mentor for the Delaware ProStart® program provides support, encouragement, and coaching for the students and faculty involved, along with giving back to the foodservice and hospitality community. Teachers and students will be looking for a role model to help develop the professional skills being taught. Mentors should provide direction for students to help connect and build a future in the industry.

There are many ways to help:

• Be a guest speaker in a classroom
• Conduct hands-on classroom demonstrations or invite students to your business
• Provide training and preparation for the Delaware ProStart® Student Invitational
• Work with ProStart® educators to build their knowledge and skills of the industry
• Hire a ProStart® student 

​To become a Mentor for this program, please contact us to be connected to a Delaware ProStart Program near you!​