Students at Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School in Northeast Baltimore are hard at work. They are preparing for the Maryland ProStart Student Invitational.
It's a chance for students to put their culinary skills to the test and compete for over $600,000 in scholarships.
"I think that anytime you compete, you learn how to work together. You learn how to communicate. The opportunity to network with the industry professionals that are judging. We have folks from post secondary and master chefs that are judging those things are life changing," said LaDeana Wentzel, Senior Director of Development and ProStart.
High Schools across Maryland in the ProStart Program square off in the competition. It teaches students about the restaurant and food services industry.
Students will go head to head in a culinary and management competition. Students have one hour to prepare an appetizer, entree and dessert with two burners.
They will be judged on product check in, uniforms, knife skills and poultry fabrication, taste and presentation.
"I want them to be able to be proud that they were able to do this competition. I want our students to be able to say that they had a good experience in High School in their Culinary Arts Program. Some of the students are not particularly good at sports and this might be their moment to shine," said Patricia Robertson, Culinary Arts Teacher.
The whole process can be intimidating for students.
"I'm nervous and excited. I'm excited to participate, but I'm nervous to see the different skills that we will go up against in the competition," said Jamia Boulding, a Senior.
"The hardest part for me is the nervousness of going to the competition because I have never been before and I am worrying about myself being ready for my team," said Jermaine Brown, a Senior.
Students take the competition very seriously. The chefs will not say what they are preparing for the competition.
Jermaine Brown enjoys making desserts and looks forward to turning it into a career.
"I like working with sugar. Pastry art appeals to me and when I prepare my product, I see the expression people get on their face. It's like pure happiness," said Brown.
Students practice weekly. It will move to a daily practice as the competition grows closer.
The Maryland ProStart Student Invitational will be held on Tuesday March 13th at the Baltimore Convention Center.
The National Competition will also be held in Baltimore April 27th - 29th.
Original Source: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/education/students-put-their-culinary-skills-to-the-test-for-a-state-competition
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