Colonial Heights High School claimed first place in the Culinary Competition, while Isle of Wight County Schools earned top honors in the Management Competition at this year’s statewide event.
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WILLIAMSBURG, VA – The Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association Foundation (VRLTAF) welcomed nearly 250 of the Commonwealth’s most talented culinary and hospitality students to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg for the 2026 Virginia ProStart Invitational. The annual competition highlights the skill, creativity, and professionalism of Virginia’s future industry leaders, while offering students the opportunity to earn scholarships and advance to the National ProStart Invitational.
“The Virginia ProStart Invitational brings together students from every corner of the Commonwealth, united by a shared passion for hospitality,” says Eric Terry, President of VRLTA.“Their dedication and creativity reflect the strength of Virginia’s hospitality community. Watching them compete at this level reinforces just how bright the future of our industry truly is.”
The Virginia ProStart Invitational features two primary team competitions designed to test the full spectrum of restaurant and foodservice expertise: Culinary and Management. Students also had the opportunity to showcase their individual talents in specialty competitions including cake decorating, chicken fabrication, and napkin folding.
Culinary Competition Results
The Culinary Competition challenges teams to prepare a three-course meal in just 60 minutes using only two butane burners with no access to electricity or running water. Teams are evaluated by industry judges on taste, knife skills, teamwork, safety, sanitation, and overall execution.
- First Place: Colonial Heights High School (Colonial Heights, VA)
- Second Place: Isle of Wight County Schools (Isle of Wight County, VA)
- Third Place: Northern Neck Technical Center (Warsaw, VA)
Management Competition Results
In the Management Competition, teams develop and present an original restaurant concept to a panel of hospitality professionals. Students must demonstrate marketing strategy, menu development, operations planning, and financial understanding — while also responding to real-world challenges presented by judges.
- First Place: Isle of Wight County Schools (Isle of Wight County, VA)
- Second Place: Kempsville High School Team 4 (Virginia Beach, VA)
- Third Place: Kempsville High School Team 3 (Virginia Beach, VA)
“Year after year, we see the level of talent and preparation continue to climb,” says Dr. Jai Girard, Director of Education and Workforce for VRLTA. “The students competing today demonstrate not only technical skill, but confidence, leadership, and a true understanding of what hospitality excellence looks like. Their performance is a powerful reflection of the impact the ProStart program is making across Virginia.”
Individual Competition Winners
The Invitational also featured individual skill competitions, giving students an opportunity to highlight specialized culinary techniques. Congratulations to the following 2026 individual competition champions:
- Cake Decorating: Katarina Beatty, Edison Academy
- Chicken Fabrication: Alena Zabler, Arlington Career Center
- Napkin Folding: Ximena Puican, Arlington Career Center
The first-place Culinary and Management teams will now go on to represent Virginia at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, MD from April 24-27, where they will compete against top students from across the country later this spring.
The Virginia ProStart program continues to serve as a pipeline for the Commonwealth’s hospitality workforce, equipping students with industry-recognized credentials, hands-on experience, and direct connections to restaurant and tourism professionals across Virginia.