Help Shape Virginia’s Next Generation of Culinary Talent - Become an Individual Competition Judge!
The Virginia ProStart Invitational is fast approaching, and our students are gearing up to bring exceptional skill, creativity, and competitive spirit to this year’s Individual Competitions. These events are some of the most dynamic moments of VPSI, showcasing everything from technical butchery to artistic cake design to the fine-dining finesse of napkin folding. To ensure our competitors receive the thoughtful, high-quality evaluation they deserve, we are actively expanding our roster of judges—and we would love to welcome more industry professionals into this rewarding experience.
Cake Decorating Competition
Ideal for Pastry Artists and Dessert Aficionados
This 25-minute challenge asks students to transform a simple crumb-coated cake into a refined, retail-ready centerpiece. Judges evaluate technique, piping precision, visual cohesion, and flavor—including the required filled middle layer. If you have a background in cake decorating, pastry arts, baking, or dessert production, your perspective is invaluable. Students are held to industry standards, and your expertise helps illuminate what professional execution truly looks like.
Chicken Fabrication Competition
Ideal for Chefs with Butchery or Line-Fabrication Experience
Competitors have just 10 minutes to fabricate a whole chicken into airline breasts, bone-in thighs with oysters intact, drumsticks, and wings—with precision, uniformity, and minimal waste. Judges assess knife technique, yield, sanitation, and accuracy of cuts. Anyone with experience training cooks, managing prep, or working the line will find this competition both familiar and deeply meaningful. Your eye for detail helps young culinarians grow into confident, capable professionals.
Cake Decorating Competition
Ideal for Pastry Artists and Dessert Aficionados
This elegant, fast-paced event challenges competitors to create three identical folds of their own design in just 3 minutes. Judges evaluate neatness, creativity, fidelity to the submitted design, consistency, and stability. No special folding credentials needed—just the ability to assess craftsmanship and whether the presentation enhances the guest experience at a professional dining table.
Why Judge?
Serving as a judge at VPSI is an opportunity to invest directly in Virginia’s future hospitality workforce. Your presence provides guidance, validation, and industry insight that students carry with them long after the event ends. Judges receive a brief orientation, clear rubrics, and full support from VRLTAF—what you bring is your expertise, professionalism, and encouragement.
If you are passionate about elevating the next generation of culinary and hospitality talent, we warmly invite you to join us. Your experience makes a difference—and we would be delighted to have more industry leaders at the table this year.