Berkmar High School to Represent Georgia at 2026 National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore
Seven Georgia high school teams traveled to Duluth on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, for a statewide competition focused on culinary arts and foodservice management to win scholarships, top honors and more at the Georgia ProStart Invitational. Berkmar High School took home top honors and will represent Georgia at the premier national high school culinary arts and foodservice management competition, the National ProStart Invitational (NPSI), taking place April 24-26, 2026, in Baltimore.
The winning teams will join more than 400 students from across the country to vie for the top high school culinary and restaurant management honors, along with nearly $200,000 in scholarships to support their future aspirations in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
2026 Georgia ProStart Invitational Winners
Culinary Competition State Champion
Berkmar High School – Team A
Joseph Boi
Miranda Castillo
Marisol Gutierrez
Vanessa Martinez
Paola Silverio
2nd Place
Meadowcreek High School
3rd Place
Berkmar High School – Team B
Management Competition State Champion
Berkmar High School – Team A
Perla Avalos
Ayla Hall
Mikeala Heard
Jesse Silva
Eivan Tamez
2nd Place
Meadowcreek High School – Team A
3rd Place
Berkmar High School – Team B
Additionally, Christopher Webber from Alpharetta High School was named the 2026 Georgia ProStart Teacher of the Year for demonstrated excellence in the classroom. Coca-Cola presented the 2026 ProStart Student of the Year award to Noah Butler of Meadowcreek High School, who received a scholarship to the college of his choice.
At the National ProStart Invitational, Georgia’s teams will compete against more than 400 students from across the country in three days of culinary and restaurant management competitions. They will also attend networking events and an awards dinner. The top five teams in each category will earn scholarships to continue their restaurant or foodservice education.
“This competition highlights the incredible talent and professionalism of Georgia’s ProStart students,” said Stephanie Fischer, Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) president + CEO. “We are proud of the dedication shown by the teams from Berkmar High School, and we look forward to cheering them on as they represent Georgia on the national stage.”
Supported by the GRA, ProStart is a two-year, industry-driven high school program that equips students with culinary and management skills while earning an industry-recognized certificate.
At NPSI, culinary teams prepare a three-course meal in 60 minutes using limited equipment, while management teams present an original restaurant concept to industry judges. Scholarships are awarded to top-performing teams in both competitions.
The event also recognizes outstanding educators nationwide through the ProStart Educator of Excellence Awards, including the prestigious James H. Maynard Teacher of the Year Award.
For more information on the ProStart program, visit ChooseRestaurants.org/ProStart.
About ProStart®
ProStart, a nationwide, two-year high school career and technical education program uniting the classroom and restaurant industry, reaches nearly 150,000 students in more than 1,900 high schools throughout all states, Guam and Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Europe and the Pacific. ProStart gives students a platform to discover and develop new interests and talents while teaching employability skills like teamwork, professional behavior, time management and communication.
About the Georgia Restaurant Association
The Georgia Restaurant Association’s (GRA) mission is to be the trusted source where hospitality owners and operators gain a competitive edge to grow their business and strengthen the hospitality industry in Georgia. The Association is the voice throughout the hospitality industry in Georgia. It provides a statewide platform for collaboration and leadership on advocacy issues, along with valuable resources for its members. As a trusted ally, the GRA empowers hospitality owners to focus on their passion – delivering exceptional dining experiences. With the GRA, Georgia’s restaurants can thrive, evolve and elevate their vital role in the state’s economy and community. For more information, visit www.garestaurants.org.
About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s (NRAEF) mission of service to the public is dedicated to enhancing the industry’s training and education, career development and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to Attract, Empower and Advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice workforce.
NRAEF programs include:
ProStart® – a high-school career and technical education program
Restaurant Ready – partnering with community-based organizations to provide “opportunity youth” with skills training and job opportunities
Military – helping military servicemen and women transition their skills to restaurant and foodservice careers
Scholarships – financial assistance for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice and hospitality degrees
Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship project – a partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association, providing a hospitality apprenticeship program for the industry
For more information on the NRAEF, visit ChooseRestaurants.org.
Photo credit: Brandon Amato