March 2, 2026 – Salem, Oregon – The challenge: create a three-course gourmet meal in just 60 minutes using only two butane burners. The result: a standout performance by the student chefs from Salem-Keizer Career Technical Education Center (CTEC), who rose to the occasion and captured top honors in the culinary competition at the Oregon Hospitality Foundation’s Oregon ProStart Championships on Monday in Salem.

Not to be outdone, Salem CTEC’s management team also earned first place for their original restaurant concept, making it a clean sweep for the program. Both teams will now represent Oregon at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland, April 24–26, 2026.

“The energy in the room was fantastic — you could really feel the excitement, and the smells coming from the kitchens were incredible,” said Courtney Smith, ProStart Manager for the Oregon Hospitality Foundation. “ProStart equips students with foundational culinary techniques and restaurant management knowledge, but just as importantly, it builds the real-world skills our industry depends on — communication, teamwork, time management, and professionalism. We saw all of that on full display in this competition.”

CTEC’s award-winning menu featured a shrimp ceviche tostada; Chicharrón con Carne with Michoacán-style mole and pickled vegetables; and Lechecilla de Naranja — an orange-infused lechecilla brûlée with marionberry hibiscus sauce for dessert.

On the management side, the team impressed judges with The Lunch Box, a nostalgic, school-lunch–inspired food truck that reimagines classic cafeteria favorites with playful, modern twists. The concept blends creativity with practical business planning — a hallmark of ProStart’s focus on preparing students not just to cook, but to lead in the hospitality industry.

The Oregon ProStart Championships showcase how the program is cultivating the next generation of culinary and restaurant professionals — giving high school students the skills, confidence, and experience to thrive in Oregon’s hospitality workforce.

Additional awards presented at the event:

• Oregon ProStart Student of the Year – Connor Wolfgram, South Salem High School
• Oregon ProStart Teacher of the Year – Patrick Clarke, Siletz Valley School

“As the capstone event for the ProStart career and technical education program, these championships are the culmination of months of hard work, creativity, and determination,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “It’s incredibly inspiring to see the passion these students bring to the table and to know we’re helping shine a spotlight on meaningful career pathways in the hospitality industry.”

The teams will head to the National ProStart Invitational® April 24-26, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland to compete against the best teams from all other states, over 400 students total. These Oregon champions also receive a share of prizes and scholarships from local and national culinary schools to help further their careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. 

Of the 54 Oregon high school programs, currently involving over 8,100 ProStart students, a total of 17 teams from 13 high schools competed in this event. Organizations partnering with the Oregon Hospitality Foundation include presenting sponsor, McDonald Wholesale, lead sponsor, U.S. Coast Guard, and champion sponsor, Ecolab.

Full Results for the 2026 Oregon ProStart Championships: 

Culinary Competition

• 1st Place: Salem CTEC
• 2nd Place: Sam Barlow High School
• 3rd Place: Crescent Valley High School

Management Competition:

• 1st Place: Salem CTEC
• 2nd Place: South Salem High School
• 3rd Place: Glide High School

Schools in the Competition:

• Alliance High School
• Cascade High School
• Century High School
• Crescent Valley High School
• Crook County High School
• Dayton High School
• Glide High School
• McMinnville High School
• Salem CTEC
• Sam Barlow High School
• Siletz Valley School
• South Salem High School
• Yoncalla High School

For more information on the Oregon Hospitality Foundation, visit OregonRLA.org/foundation and OregonRLA.org/prostart to learn more about ProStart.

 About ProStart® 

ProStart, one of the nation’s largest industry-supported career technical education (CTE) programs, teaches students lifetime skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and professionalism while also imparting culinary skills that can help them achieve long term, successful careers in the foodservice and hospitality sector. 

About Oregon Hospitality Foundation  

Formed in 1992 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, the Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) strengthens Oregon’s hospitality industry by investing in workforce development, education, and training to ensure it thrives for generations.