APPLETON, WI – One hour. Two burners. Three courses. Yes, Chef!
Several of the most skilled high school culinary and hospitality students from around the state will be at Fox Valley Technical College on Thursday, March 12 for the 2026 Wisconsin ProStart® Invitational.
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association leads the high-energy competition, which features 13 culinary teams and four front-of-house management teams battling for a chance to advance to the National Prostart® Invitational in Maryland later this spring.
Culinary Competition
Teams of 4-5 students have exactly one hour to prep, cook, and plate a three-course menu while working with only two butane burners.
Management Competition
Four teams will present a business proposal for a new restaurant concept. The proposal includes written and oral presentations, as well as visual displays.
This is the second time FVTC is the host site for the competition. It is a fantastic opportunity for students and their fans to see FVTC’s state-of-the-art Culinary cooking labs and learn more about the college. FVTC Culinary faculty and foodservice industry professionals will serve as competition judges.
Why is this a good news story?
- The leisure and hospitality sector was projected to grow 5.25% in Wisconsin from 2023-25, adding 15,342 jobs. This has been an impressive rebound after COVID, when the culinary and hospitality sectors were significantly impacted.
- Leisure and hospitality employment in Wisconsin grew to 299,500 jobs as of December 2025 and show a continued upward trend at the start of 2026.
- The restaurant and foodservice sector is the 4th largest private employer in Wisconsin; competitions like these grow culinary talent who are crucial to stabilizing the workforce.
Event Details
Thursday, March 12
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cook times staggered from 9:45 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Location: FVTC Appleton Campus Commons – 1825 Bluemound Dr.
Interviews available with:
- Culinary students (no interviews during active cooking times)
- FVTC Culinary Faculty
- Wisconsin Restaurant Association representatives
High schools participating
| Kimberly | West Bend |
| Neenah | Badger |
| Menasha | Pewaukee |
| Madison East | Wetosha Central |
| Greendale | Franklin |
| Cudahy | Janesville |
| Wauwatosa West |
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About FVTC
Fox Valley Technical College, part of the Wisconsin Technical College System, offers more than 220 associate degree, technical diploma and other certificate programs, instruction related to 19 apprenticeship trades, and provides services to business and industry. The college serves more than 50,000 annually, more than any other technical college in Wisconsin.
