OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – February 27, 2026 – Two ProStart teams are headed to the national stage after claiming top honors at the 2026 Ben E. Keith Oklahoma ProStart Student Invitational. Francis Tuttle Technology-OKC took first place in Culinary, while Edmond Santa Fe High School captured first place in Management. The wins earn both teams a spot at the 2026 National ProStart Invitational, set for April 26–28 in Baltimore, where they will compete against state champions from nearly all 50 states for a share of $200,000 in scholarships.
Both schools were also recognized with scholarships from the Culinary Institute of America in honor of their state championship titles.
Oklahoma’s Full Results:
· 1st Place Culinary – Francis Tuttle Technology Center
· 1st Place Management – Edmond Santa Fe High School
· 2nd Place Culinary – Francis Tuttle Technology Center
· 2nd Place Management – Edmond Memorial High School
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“It’s such a great privilege to host an event like this that shines a light on developing talent,” said Kathy Holsonbake, Director of Workforce Development and Education at the Oklahoma Restaurant Association. “Across Oklahoma, management and culinary skills are honed in the classroom that will lead to jobs in restaurants, hotels, and entertainment attractions. It’s extremely gratifying to help students reach their goals in Oklahoma’s hospitality industry. We are supported by many of Oklahoma’s premiere restaurateurs and chefs as ProStart judges and mentors, and our team always receives great feedback from these volunteers and the caliber of students who participate.”
“Ben E. Keith is proud to support the Oklahoma Restaurant Association’s ProStart competition, helping cultivate the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals. This partnership reflects our commitment to strengthening the foodservice industry through education, mentorship, and hands-on experience. The competition provides students with real‑world skills and confidence that help launch their careers in the restaurant and hospitality field. We’re honored to stand behind the talented students and educators who are shaping the future of Oklahoma’s restaurant community,” said Dan Carman, Marketing Manager, Ben E. Keith Co.
ProStart is a nationwide, two-year high school career and technical education program from the NRAEF that reaches nearly 165,000 students at almost 1,850 schools each year. The program blends hands-on restaurant and culinary experience with classroom instruction, equipping students with industry-recognized training to jumpstart their careers while still in high school. Over the past 24 years, more than one million students nationwide have received career-building training through ProStart’s curriculum.
In Oklahoma, the program includes 24 technology centers and high schools, with more than 1,200 students enrolled in one- or two-year courses.
Thank you to the partners of the 2026 Ben E. Keith Oklahoma ProStart Student Invitational: Ben E. Keith, Auto-Chlor System, Bryan Close, ECOLAB, and GoFresh.
Thank you to our scholarship providers: Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, the Culinary Institute of America, and the National Restaurant Association.
For more information on the ProStart program, visit ChooseRestaurants.org/ProStart or follow along on X and Facebook.
About ProStart® ProStart is a nationwide, two-year high school career and technical education program that bridges the classroom and the restaurant industry, reaching nearly 165,000 students at almost 1,850 high schools across all states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. ProStart gives students a platform to discover and develop new interests and talents while building critical employability skills including teamwork, professional behavior, time management, and communication.
About the Oklahoma Restaurant Association
Founded in 1933, the Oklahoma Restaurant Association is the trade association of restaurants and foodservice operations, the state’s largest private industry employer. Representing more than 4,500 restaurants and members, the ORA actively monitors legislation and regulatory agencies; helps foodservice owners and management develop and strengthen business operations; and inspires membership to do together for the industry what cannot be done individually.
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