On February 20, 2026, the ACC Culinary team participated in the 2026 ProStart competition in Williamsburg, VA. This event hosted six different competitions: culinary, management, napkin folding, chicken fabrication, and cake decorating.

ACC won first place in napkin folding, and chicken fabrication won by Ximena (11th) and Alena (11th). Teams from all over the region competed against each other for first place to go to nationals in Baltimore, MD. In preparation for the competition, the ACC culinary teams practiced every Tuesday until 6. Each team produced a great product and led a strong competition. 

The ProStart competitions are organized by the NRAEF (National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation) and have been held every year since 2001. Winners of this competition win trophies, medals, and scholarships. Nationals (NPSI) are hosted every year, with the last two being held in Baltimore, MD. In culinary and management competitions, only the first-place winners end up going to nationals. Last year, the ACC management team had the honor to compete at nationals. 

Team Competitions 

Culinary – Culinary team students create a three-course meal in the span of 60 minutes, featuring an appetizer, main course, and dessert. 

Management – Management teams create a proposal for a restaurant pitch. 

Individual Competitions

Napkin folding – Competitors create three identical napkin folds in 3 minutes. 

Cake Decorating – Competitors have 25 minutes to clean, coat, and decorate a cake using two colors. 

Chicken Fabrication – Competitors fabricate a chicken in 10 minutes into the required portions.

The ACC Culinary team came to the competition prepared! Congratulations to the winners of napkin folding and chicken fabrication. Congratulations to everyone else who also participated in this event!