virtual competition CA Prostart 2020

We’re Going Virtual

What do you do with the “Super Bowl” of high school culinary competitions in California when pandemic strikes? The travel bans, school closures, and restrictions due to COVID-19 prevent our usual in-person, spectacular event. So, we’re taking it virtual! That’s how we’ll still hold the CA ProStart Cup, which was scheduled for March 20+21 in Pomona.

The 250 student competitors have worked too hard to cancel this event, and with approximately $2 million in scholarships up for grabs for the winners, we had to find a safe solution for the show to go on.

Deciding to pivot to a virtual competition was not easy, but we need to prioritize safety. While we are very disappointed the students will not have the opportunity to showcase their exceptional talents and skills live, this is the only option for graduating seniors, in particular, to compete this year.

Download event program

About ProStart Virtual

The CA ProStart Cup is more than a cooking competition – it’s a life-changing experience! Imagine being 16 years old and pitching a new restaurant concept to a panel of restaurateurs. Or having hundreds of people watch you as you put the finishing touches on a three-course meal.

Main Events

Student Competitors

Judges

Awards Ceremony

We give props to all the teams who participated in the virtual competition! The judges were impressed and wow ’ed by the concepts, menus and proposals. The competition was fierce!

Thank you for your continued support during this unprecedented time. We had a great time filming the awards video and we hope you enjoy it!

Download event program

Special Guest

Rob DeLiema

President // BJ’S RESTAURANTS FOUNDATION

• First hospitality job: Flipping burgers and cooking hot dogs at a poolside snack bar at age 15
• “With hard work and dedication to learning, you will have endless opportunities to excel in an exciting and growing industry.”

Emcees

Marshall Scarborough

Vice President of Menu and Culinary Innovation
// BOJANGLES’ FAMOUS CHICKEN ‘N BISCUITS

First hospitality job: Washing dishes at a restaurant
“Building meaningful relationships and maintaining them is one of the best things you can do for your career and yourself.”

Matt Claborn

Retired

First hospitality job: Dining room server at Claremont Retirement Village
“Never stop learning.”

Our ProStart Participants

Check out our competitors below to learn more!

APPLIED TECHNOLOGY CENTER HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Iron Horses
Robert Torres ● Devin Morales ● Jorge Albanez ● Edgar Perez

Juan A. Lopez

Educator

ARCATA HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Culinary Tigers
Brianna Freeman, Captain ● Aiden Davis ● Max Haines ● Rolin Mitchell

Neil Kalson

Educator

BETECH CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

The Spice Girls and Two Guys
Maria Alcazar, Captain ● Michelle Navarro ● CJ Press ● Tait Hougen

Andrew Griggs

Educator

BONITA HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

True Grit
Ryder Ortiz, Captain ● Sarah Borer ● Caterina Mangiafreno ● Shelby Howard

Management

That’s How We Roll
Shelby Howard, Captain ● Ryder Ortiz ● Nikita Pacheco, Mentor

Innovation # 1

Blue Wave Washers Jasper Coronado, Captain ● Domanique Rosales ● Alexis Kessler, Mentor

Innovation # 2

Essentials Ryder Ortiz

Laurie Brandler

Educator

CHINO HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

Management #1

Chino Hills #1
Alana Trplett, Captain ● Emliy Alvarado ● Cheyenne Ball-Jones

Management #2

Chino Hills #2
Krystle Caradang, Captain ● Miah Dixon ● Riya Patel ● Ashley Mayes

Jennell Acker

Educator

EDEN AREA ROP

Culinary

Felix Romero, Captain & Alternate ● Natalie Epich ● Johnny Contreras ● Alexia Cortes ● Makayla Rangel

Terri Penn

Educator

ENTERPRISE HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Brook Stipp, Captain ● Isaiah Danielson ● Sarah West ● Madison Day ● Louis De La Torre, Alternate ● Deborah Leedy, Mentor

James Leedy

Educator

FORTUNA HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Joey Quen, Captain ● Joey Diaz ● Adrian Olea ● Samantha St. Clair ● Brian Mendez, Alternate ● Josh Wiley, Mentor

Stacy Chatfield

Educator

FULLERTON UNION HIGH SCHOOL

Innovation

Andrew Mendez ● Bryan Navarro ● Jasmine Torres

Mario Schwarz-Cole

Educator

GLEN A. WILSON HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary #1

Anthony Chavez, Captain ● Carla Salcido-Islas ● Stephaney Myint ● Jenniferr Chan

Anika Estes

Educator

GREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Solai Pomtong, Captain ● Aubrey Page ● Rosemary Balbiani ● Stella Balbiani

Judy Dolphin

Educator

JOHN O’CONNELL HIGH SCHOOL

Management #1

Team Apple
E’shaun Grays, Captain ● Chloe Johnson ● Jasmin Jones

Management #2

Team Orange
Caleb Parker, Captain ● Kiara Lampkins ● Mark Larreynaga

Alexandria Brooks

Educator

JOHN A. ROWLAND HIGH SCHOOL

Management

Marissa Garcia ● Esmeralda Martinez ● Joshua Tse ● Sophia Htay ● Diane Chen ● Scott Brokaw, Mentor

Innovation

Miles Martinez, Captain ● Lucas Martinez ● Valerie De La Fuente ● Stevie De La Fuente ● Sharon Kim, Alternate ● Scott Brokaw, Mentor

Katherine Stella

Educator

LEUZINGER HIGH SCHOOL

Management

Cesia Duran, Captain ● Francisco Camparan ● Erika Panchi ● Khadija Khan ● Brian Cramer, Mentor ● Alex Zamudio, Mentor

Culinary

Jeisler Ku, Captain ● Emily Mendoza ● Richard Morales ● Ronnie Guerra ● Carolina Rios, Alternate ● Brian Cramer, Mentor ● Alex Zamudio, Mentor

Innovation

Steve Loez ● Alexsis Rodriguez ● Citaly Anaya ● Brian Cramer, Mentor ● Alex Zamudio, Mentor

Valerie Meyer

Educator

LYNWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Royal Chefs
Conrad Galvez, Captain ● Shaunae Simon ● Miguel Rojo ● Kaylah Tautuaa ● Matteo Pergrina, Alternate

Innovation

Innovative Knights
Diego Pina, Captain ● Diego Nunez ● Joshua Angeles-Sanabia

Joe Powell

Educator

MADISON HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Mad Hatters
Cassandra Monterrosa, Captain ● George Giang ● Yuritzy Garcia Huerta ● Mike Porter ● Carson Smith, Alternate

Management

MadMen
Carson Smith, Captain ● Roman Granados

Kim Coelho

Educator

MISSION HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Mission Hills Grizzlies
Justin Vong, Captain and Alternate ● Emma Wong ● Armando Trujillo ● Braeden Sundelius ● Eathan Cooley

David Keith

Educator

NEWPORT HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Dafne Calderon, Captain ● Aritzel Hernandez ● Jesus Ortiz ● Stephanie Baltazar ● Frania Alonso, Alternate ● Chef Allan Aguiñaga, Mentor

Management

Pacific Press
Ryan Monahan, Captain ● Alexa Armbruster ● Noah Houk ● Austin Osborn ● Emily McKinney, Mentor

Sarah Pilon

Educator

NORTH TAHOE HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Amalia Ven Peborgh, Captain ● Ashlyn M. McPherson ● Michelle Salas ● Jackson G. Morse ● Anna Wright, Alternate

Laura Hartung

Educator

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Management

The Mix
Ximena (Lizzy) Garcia Sanchez ● Summer Rahim ● Isabella (Bella) Vegh ● Paige Comire ● Alex Aviles, Mentor

Culinary

Vincenzo (Cenzo) Spina, Captain and Alternate ● Madison (Star) Lu ● Isabella (Bella) Bailey ● Paige Kim ● Nirvan (Chime) Pradhan

Daniel Mattos

Educator

PACIFICA HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

The Tritons
Juan Ochoa, Captain ● Nicolas Gutierrez ● Stephanie Velazquez ● Ikawaiolamailani Bachmeier ● Gabriel Valenzuela, Alternate ● Anthony Haros, Mentor

Kristen Ofeldt Collins

Educator

PLEASANT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

πέντε Ayden McAllister, Captain ● Brandon Kertz ● David Abbott ● Jesika Kendall ● Chris Daneau, Alternate ● Travis Anderson, Mentor

Priscilla Burns

Educator

RANCHO ALAMITOS HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Adriana Barajas, Captain ● Eric Bautista ● Miguel Escarraman ● Chris Ross ● Jahaziel Herrera, Mentor

Innovation

Kiara Arevelo ● Adriana Barajas

Scott Kim

Educator

SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL

Management #1

Frequent Flyers
Nathan Rudy, Captain ● Ali Yassine ● Sophia Leon, Alternate ● Shyanne Morrison, Mentor ● Sara Siu, Mentor

Management #2

Taco Spot Aaron Smith, Captain ● Alyssa Duarte ● Paul Pignotti ● Shyanne Morrison, Mentor ● Sara Siu, Mentor

Culinary

Vibin’ Like Jeff
Brigette Cruz, Captain ● Erika Barragan ● Travis Swailes ● Jeremy Carillo ● Kiley Shaffer, Alternate ● Christian Kavak, Mentor

Innovation #1

Split Pot Laura Siu, Captain ● Sara Siu, Mentor

Innovation #2

Latch Can Nathan Rudy, Captain ● Yousef Saleh

Nick Brandler

Educator

SAN JUAN HIGH SCHOOL

Management

Braxton Anderson, Captain ● James Leete ● Rihannon Bloom ● Ruth Kent

Culinary #1

Ruth Kent, Captain ● James Leete ● Braxton Anderson ● Sheridan Analco ● Justin Ferguson ● Emariae Rosa-Belton, Alternate

Culinary #2

Damien Kent, Captain ● Justin Ferguson ● Rihannon Bloom

Innovation

James Leete ● Braxton Anderson ● Rihannon Bloom

Brent Boultinghouse

Educator

VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary #1

Italian Falcons Andrea Manzano, Captain ● Anthony Arcos ● Valeria Cruz ● Jazmina Gonzalez ● Melody Baeza, Alternate

Culinary #2

California Dreamin’ Juan Hernandez, Captain ● Laura Delatorre ● Mike Gutierrez ● Jeremy Reyes ● Jessica Salazar, Alternate

Kristin Sepulveda

Educator

Terry Kim

Educator

VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Parker McIlmoil, Captain ● Casie Esparza ● Carlos Perez II ● Kai Siebert ● Eve Carpenter, Alternate ● David Keith, Mentor

Kim Plunkett

Educator

WHEATLAND HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Mighty Pirates Makenzie Garder, Captain ● Delilah Harrison ● Edward Sanchez ● Allison Brinkly ● Conner Dennis, Alternate

Kuulei Moreno

Educator

WHITNEY HIGH SCHOOL

Culinary

Gabriella Gonzalez ● Jordan Oja ● Jordan Manzitto ● Luke Martin ● Jacob Kendrick, Mentor

Carissa McCrory

Educator

View Our Sponsors

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors, we couldn’t do it without you!

Management and Culinary Cup Sponsor

Innovation Cup Sponsor

CA National Team Sponsor

Safety + Sani Sponsor

Travel Sponsor

Venue Sponsor + Host

Spirit Sponsor

Student Lounge Sponsor

Photo Sponsor

College + Career Expo Sponsor

Lanyard Sponsor

Goodie Bag Sponsor

Friends of CRAF

Meal Sponsors

In-Kind Sponsors

Executive Insights Title Sponsor

VIP Reception Sponsors

Download Sponsor Sheet

Our Judges

Thank you to our judges for working with us on Virtual ProStart 2020!

THE MANAGEMENT JUDGES

Michael Santos

CEO // TAILORED FOOD + BEVERAGE

Theodore Balestreri II

VP Hospitality Operations
+ Community Relations
CANNERY ROW MANAGEMENT CO. // SARDINE FACTORY

Shaun M. Beard

Senior Vice President, Food and Beverage // SAVOR

Michael Brennan

Vice President of Operations // SPECIALTY RESTAURANTS CORPORATION

Camille Chavez

Vice President of Training and Development //
BLACK BEAR DINER

Kathie Griley

Vice President of Membership // CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION

Nicole Haug

Learning and Development Manager // URBAN PLATES

Michael Hawkins

Principal // GREEN STREET RESTAURANT

Steve Henige

National Academic Sales Manager // NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION // SERVSAFE

Krista Hoskins

Director of Training // NORMS RESTAURANTS

Alice C. Juarez

Region Bank President // WELLS FARGO BANK

Teresa Keogh

Director of Operations Strategy // LEMONADE

Michele Lange

Director of Training // DEL TACO

Belinda de Villa – Lopez / Belle Lopez

University Lecturer // THE COLLINS COLLEGE OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT, CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

Jericho Lopez

Director, Marketing, Communications & Business Development //
UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO

Steven Mary

Culinary Consultant // SYSCO LOS ANGELES

Paul Miramontes

Corporate Field Trainer // GALARDI GROUP INC. –WIENERSCHNITZEL

Carolyn Olsen

Ambassador & Sales Executive // COCA-COLA NORTH AMERICA

Scott Ponchetti

Director of Restaurant and Retail Operations // FIRESTONE
WALKER BREWING COMPANY

Moises Reyes

Executive Kitchen Market Manager // BJ’S RESTAURANTS

Pia Tinsley

Principal/Creative Director // THE LOFTE CREATIVE

Download BJ's Restaurants Management Cup Judge Sheet

THE CULINARY JUDGES

Sheree Mooney, BS, MA, CRM

Chef Lecturer // COLLINS COLLEGE OF HOSPITALITY

Diana Delonis

Office / HR manager // SMOKE OPEN FIRE COOKING

Charles Brettner

Director of Food and Beverage at The Greek Theatre // ASM GLOBAL

Kyung Soo Carroll

Executive Chef // FASHION ISLAND HOTEL

Dr. Jerald Chesser

Professor Emeritus // COLLINS COLLEGE OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT, CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY POMONA

Marla Chesser

Boss // CHESSER INC.

Peter Coenen

Executive Chef // MARINA DEL REY HOTEL

David Cox

Executive Chef // NORMS RESTAURANTS

Donna Dannan

“Former” Student Services Coordinator // COLLINS COLLEGE OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT CAL POLY POMONA

Kenneth Dokko

Lecturer // CAL POLY POMONA, COLLINS COLLEGE OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Shelly Doonan

Professor of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management //
MOUNT SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE (MT. SAC)

Christina Fava

Sales Representative // FRESHPOINT PRODUCE

Tyler Glick

General Manager // PHIL’S BBQ

Brian Knirk, EdD

Director, Culinary Arts // AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE

Justin Lewis

Corporate Executive Chef // FIRESTONE WALKER BREWERY

Jay Marshall, CEC, AAC

Executive Chef // SYSCO SAN FRANCISCO INC.

Francois Behuet

Pastry Chef // BOTTEGA LOUIE

Debi Min

Chef // SUSHI PRIVATE CATERING

Shawn Mohler

Director of Operations // BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

Brandon L. Mooney

Mechanic // WALNUT VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Colleen Nanno

Culinary Arts Program Director // PASADENA CITY COLLEGE

Gary Prell

President // EXCELLENCE IN FOODSERVICE NETWORK

Dan Proctor

Associate Manager Global Product Development // TACO BELL

Andrew Reyes

Chef de Cuisine // TIDAL RESTAURANT AT PARADISE POINT

Kent Roberts

Distributor Sales Development Manager // ECOLAB

Paul Silvio

Director of Revenue Management // SYSCO LOS ANGELES

Dominique Valenzuela

Executive Pastry Chef // JW MARRIOTT DESERT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA

Pamela Wnuck

Culinary Arts Supervisor // OC FAIR & EVENT CENTER

Ram Wymore

District Manager // ECOLAB

Download BJ's Restaurants Culinary Cup Judge Sheet

THE INNOVATION JUDGES

David Bliven

Manager, International Technology // TACO BELL: YUM! BRANDS

Matt Bussak

Instructional Design Manager // URBAN PLATES

Will Godoy

Director of Team Member Development // BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

Joseph Pitruzzelli

Co-Founder // WURSTKÜCHE RESTAURANT

Glenda Vaquerano

Public Relations Manager // THE GALARDI GROUP, INC., WIENERSCHNITZEL

Download Wienerschnitzel Innovation Cup Judge Sheet

A Special Thank You to All!

Special thank yous to our generous sponsors for standing by the Foundation during this challenging time. To our judges, volunteers, food + beverage donors, college partners, and the Sheraton Fairplex, we are grateful for your support! We salute the ProStart teachers. You are incredibly giving of your time and personal resources to provide life-changing experiences for your students; thank you for rolling with the punches.