South Carolina
ProStart® Invitational

Event Registration

About The Invitational

The South Carolina ProStart® Invitational brings together the state’s brightest high school culinary and restaurant management students to challenge their skills and creativity.

Culinary Competition

High school culinary teams have 60 minutes to plan, prepare, and plate a full three-course meal — all using only two butane burners, two eight-foot tables, and no electricity or running water.

Students demonstrate advanced knife skills, food safety, teamwork, timing, and creativity. Dishes are judged on taste, presentation, menu development, and proper cooking techniques.

Management Competition

Future restaurant leaders develop and pitch an original restaurant concept — including branding, menu design, layout, staffing, and financial planning.

Teams present their plan to a panel of industry and post-secondary judges, defend their decisions, and answer critical-thinking questions about how they’d handle real-world scenarios.

Scholarships & Recognition

The Invitational is more than a competition — it’s a launching pad.

Top-scoring teams in both Culinary and Management divisions receive generous scholarships to pursue degrees in hospitality, culinary arts, or restaurant management. Winning teams may also qualify to represent South Carolina at the National ProStart Invitational, competing against the best students in the country.

Congratulations to the 2026 Top Teams!

Management Competition

1st place – Golden Strip Career Center

2nd place – Academy for Technology & Academics

3rd place – Donaldson Career Center

4th place – Center for Career Innovation

5th place – Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School

Anderson Career & Technology Center 1st Place

Culinary Competition

1st place – Anderson Career and Technology Center

2nd place – Enoree Career Center

3rd place – Center for Career Innovation

4th place – J Harley Bonds Career Center

5th place – Golden Strip Career Center

Management Competition Winners' Gallery

Golden Strip Career Center

Academy for Technology & Academics

Donaldson Career Center

Center for Career Innovations

Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School

Culinary Competition Winners' Gallery

Anderson Career & Technology Center

Enoree Career Center

Center for Career Innovation

J Harley Bonds Career Center

Golden Strip Career Center

Take Your Skills to Nationals 🏆

The top teams from the South Carolina ProStart Invitational earn the chance to represent our state at the National ProStart Invitational — the nation’s premier competition for high school culinary and management students.

Compete against the best, showcase your talent on a national stage, and unlock even more scholarship opportunities.

Learn More About Nationals

Group photo of different state teams at the National ProStart Invitational holding their state flags.

Competition Policies, Documents & Registration

Hotel Reservations & Information

Embassy Suites by Hilton North Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center
5055 International Blvd. North Charleston SC 29418

Group Rate: Group Rate: $159++ tax per night (Single, Double, Triple, Quad)
State Tax: 14% + $4 Destination Fee per room, per suite, per night
Reservation Deadline: February 12, 2027

How to Reserve:

Book online: SCRLA ProStart Invitational (Hotel Reservation Link)
Call to Book: 1-800-EMBASSY (1-800-362-2779) | Group Code: 95W
Through Website: Visit www.embassysuitescharleston.com. Enter your arrival and departure dates, click “Add Special Rate Codes,” and enter Group Code: 95W
Complimentary Parking for all Hotel Guests in Hotel Parking Lot.
All participating teams are required to stay at the designated hotel to be eligible to compete.