ProStart® is a nationwide, two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime.
By bringing together the industry and the classroom, ProStart gives students a platform to discover new interests and talents to open doors for fulfilling careers. It happens through a curriculum that includes all facets of the industry and sets a high standard of excellence for students and the industry.
Students who have completed the requirements of the ProStart program are awarded an industry-recognized certificate – the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement. To earn the certificate, students pass two national exams, demonstrate a mastery of foundational skills, and work 400 mentored hours.
White Mountains Regional High School in Whitefield brought both their culinary and management teams to the ProStart National Invitational May 2-4 in Washington D.C.
They fielded a tough and determined trio for their culinary team. Ashton, Mariah, and Tobi were focused, spotless in their work, and a quiet, but very communicative group. With a menu of Classic Spaghetti alla “Cabonara” (handmade pasta, crispy guanciale, pecorino Romano, egg yolk parsley, and black pepper), Braised Cornish Hen “Cacciatore” (san marzano tomato ragout, castelvetrano olives, rosemary polenta, crimini mushrooms, batonnet sweet peppers, and chiffonade of Swiss chard), Citrus Scented White Chocolate Panna Cotta (limoncello caramel sauce, white chocolate “truffle,” pine nut crunch, and supremes tangerine), they placed 17th out of 46 teams.
For their restaurant concept, the team presented The Notch, which paid homage to where they live. Hannah and Jaylin competed at Nationals in 2022 and returned to the National competition floor with Aubrey and Josh. The judges loved their “home town” concept and their marketing tactic, which focused on building community relationships. This fierce foursome placed 12th out of 46 teams.
A big thank you to all of our ProStart sponsors and judges. Many of whom not only give their time the day of the state competition, but work one-on-one with the teams who compete at Nationals. Your guidance and mentorship is key to building their confidence and success.
In partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NHLRAEF) awards an annual New Hampshire ProStart Educator of the Year. The award recipient from New Hampshire is nominated for the NRAEF ProStart National Educator of Excellence Awards (EEA), which recognize educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and passion, commitment and creativity in all aspects of the ProStart program to help their students make the most of the opportunities that ProStart offers. The NHLRAEF is proud to announce this year’s New Hampshire ProStart Educator of the Year is Ashley Mota, culinary arts teacher, Dover Regional Career Technical Center. Chef Mota always has a smile on her face, and exudes a genuine enjoyment when working and engaging with her students.
When asked about Chef Mota, one of her students said, “Chef Mota has made an impact through her unique teaching methods and unwavering support. She shares real world stories from her professional experiences that connects classwork to working in the culinary arts field. This connection helps to prepare us for the challenges found in a professional kitchen. Chef Mota is an inspiration who makes culinary education fun.”
Dover Regional Career Technical Center’s Director, Kori Kennedy stated in her nomination, “Chef Mota has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student success, implemented innovative teaching methods, maintained strong connections to the culinary industry, and made invaluable contributions to our school community. Her dedication to student success is evident in the personalized attention and guidance given to each student. Beyond teaching culinary skills, Chef Mota fosters a supportive learning environment that encourages creativity and critical thinking. Students under her mentorship consistently achieve high levels of proficiency and passion for the culinary arts. This commitment extends beyond the classroom, as she is always willing to provide extra assistance and guidance to students, ensuring they thrive both academically and personally.”
In addition to being considered for a National award, Chef Mota will be invited to join her peers across the country as a ProStart Educator Fellow. From the NHLRAEF, Chef Mota will receive an award, $1,000, and an invitation to New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association’s annual Stars of the Industry dinner. We are thrilled to honor and celebrate Chef Ashley Mota as the New Hampshire ProStart Educator of the Year for 2023-2024.
Helping students get a jump start on rewarding careers in the industry benefits everyone.
One of the reasons I wanted to get into this industry is because of that satisfaction you get from helping other people.
