Caesar Rodney High School’s culinary team recently took home its fifth straight state title in the 11th Annual Delaware ProStart Student Invitational, which was hosted at the Chase Center in Wilmington.
The Delaware Restaurant Foundation hosts the statewide competition featuring 17 culinary and management teams who were judged on teamwork, culinary expertise and restaurant industry management skills.
“Success is not just about winning competitions, it’s about the dedication, teamwork, and passion that drive us towards our goals,” said Meg Gardner, director of the foundation. “These teams showed those skills throughout the day.”
Caesar Rodney team’s appetizer.
The judging table.
Caesar Rodney team’s dessert.
Students from Caesar Rodney High School took home 1st place honors for the culinary competition, something they’ve become accustomed to, with a win streak that spans back to 2019.
That team is made up of students. Melia Stamper, Shannon Powell, Ralph Figueroa, Carys Raber, Zoe Rowe and Grey Bendel.
Cape Henlopen High School’s team took home the silver followed by Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School’s team.
Odessa’s first place management team.
In the management competition, Odessa High School’s team was awarded 1st place, followed by Laurel High School and Glasgow High School.
“Odessa High School’s win in the Delaware ProStart Student Invitational Managment Competition is a wonderful representation of what the Appoquinimink School District values most: creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking and engagement,” said Lindsay Baker, culinary arts educator and ProStart coach.
The team demonstrated great cohesiveness and coachability as they prepared their business proposal for the Green Leaf Cafe, she said.
“Chef Karen Miller and I are extremely proud of their efforts and are incredibly grateful to our community for their continued support as we prepare to take on Nationals in Baltimore at the end of April,” she said.
That team is made up of students Cierra Smith, Adalynne Evans and Ruby Wall.
“This year we hosted student competitors and observers to network, showcase skills, and explore what this industry has to offer,” Gardner said. “Congratulations to all the participants. Your hard work and commitment are truly inspiring. Huge thanks to the students, educators, mentors, exhibitors, judges, volunteers, and sponsors who continue to support this work.”
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
