State Culinary and Management Competition Brings High School Students to Charleston
Students Vie for Chance to Represent State on National Stage
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) Office of Career Technical Education (CTE) will welcome top culinary and restaurant management high school students to compete in the state’s annual Hospitality Cup - West Virginia's ProStart® Invitational on March 3 - 4, 2026, at the Embassy Suites, 300 Court St. The event includes two components, culinary and management. Doors open at 8 a.m., with cooking beginning on Tuesday at 10 a.m., and management presentations beginning at 8:20 a.m. on Wednesday.
The state competition, now in its 24th year, will bring more than 60 high school students representing 11 schools to Charleston. In addition to earning statewide honors, top winners will represent West Virginia at the 2026 National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, Md., on April 24-26.
The culinary competition requires teams to prepare a three-course meal in 60 minutes, using only two butane burners, and without access to running water or electricity. The dishes will be evaluated by judges on taste, skill, teamwork, safety and sanitation. In the management competition, teams will present a proposal for a promising restaurant concept to a panel of industry judges.
Participating teams include:
| Culinary (Tuesday) | Management (Wednesday) |
|---|---|
| Marion County Technical Center | Carver Career Center |
| Wheeling Park High School | Huntington High School |
| Tug Valley High School | Marion County Technical Center |
| Monongalia Technical Education Center | Lincoln County High School |
| Grafton High School | Monongalia Technical Education Center |
| Spring Valley High School | |
| Jefferson High School | |
| Carver Career Center | |
| James Rumsey Technical Institute |
There are 49 ProStart programs, enrolling more than 1,000 students, across the state. Supported by the WVDE, ProStart provides high school students with a valuable introduction to the foodservice and hospitality industries. Through a curriculum designed by industry experts, students learn culinary techniques and management skills, setting them on a path towards success. Upon completing the ProStart program, students earn industry-recognized certifications, equipping them for their future careers, while employers gain access to skilled and motivated workers.