22nd Annual South Carolina ProStart Invitational

March 1-3, 2026
Embassy Suites Golf Resort & Conference Center, 670 Verdae Blvd, Greenville, SC 29607

The Statewide South Carolina ProStart Competition brings together ProStart students and schools from across the state for two days of showcasing their talents in the hospitality industry! Competition categories include: 

• Culinary
• Management

First Place winners of the Culinary and Management competitions secure their spot at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore MD! 

ProStart Competition Judges & Volunteers 

In order to put on a great competition, we need your help. We are looking for qualified judges, volunteers for the competition and sponsor for the event. This is a great opportunity for you to provide a helping hand to the next generation of hospitality professionals.

 

Culinary Judges – Teams will demonstrate their culinary knowledge, skills and creative abilities through demonstration and preparation of a unique three course, starter, entrée & dessert. Judges will observe and rate various categories from menu & recipe presentation; knife skills, team presentation, work skills, organization, safety, sanitation, taste and finishing of product and Shipping and Receiving.

 

Management Judges – Teams will present a Restaurant concept along with written proposal to a panel of judges in a 10x10 Booth. Judges will rotate between each team’s booth to ask questions in various categories such as Restaurant Concept, Menu & Costing, Layout and Staffing, Written/Verbal Marketing Tactics, and Critical Thinking.

 

Team Ambassador Volunteers - Both the Culinary & Management Competitions need assistance in several areas from Official Timekeepers, Score Runners, Score Assistant, Tasting Room Monitor and Check in/Registration.

Our volunteers and judges are a key ingredient in making the statewide South Carolina ProStart Competition a success! Thank you for your support of the next generation of restaurant and foodservice professionals.

Please click here for the rules for competition. 

Sign up Using this Link to Submit Judging or Volunteer Support

https://www.cognitoforms.com/scprostart1/scprostartjudgevolunteersignup

Questions? Contact Christal VanWickler christal@scrla.org or 803-766-0179