ProStart Professional Development

Hone your culinary and restaurant management instruction skills for the ProStart classroom

ProStart Professional Development (ProStart PD) launched in 2023 as a revamp to our previous Summer Institutes curriculum. A professional development model that is specific to the ProStart curriculum and its classroom implementation, ProStart PD’s goal is to equip educators with tools to enhance the experience of their students, encouraging them to pursue restaurant and hospitality careers.

Thanks to the 150 educators who joined us for ProStart PD’s inaugural session in 2023 and provided valuable feedback, we’re returning in 2024 with an experience that better reflects the needs of educators. Join us in 2024 to find:

  • An expanded program covering Sunday-Friday, with room for up to 200 educators
  • Full-day lab experiences
  • A greater focus on aligning the training to the circumstances and experience of ProStart educators
  • An updated exam

Please note that previous plans to expand ProStart PD content/learning tracks are paused until 2025 while we focus on developing a core learning experience that best meets the needs of ProStart educators. 

Course Details

2024 Dates

July 7 – 12, 2024

The Roosevelt New Orleans
130 Roosevelt Way
New Orleans, LA 70112

Offsite Labs:
New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI)
725 Howard Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70130

Registration information coming soon.

General Program Schedule*

All times shown are Central Time (CT).

Sunday, July 7

  • 12:00pm – 7:00pm Registration
  • 6:30pm – 8:00pm Opening Reception

Monday, July 8

(Breakfast and lunch provided. Dinner on your own.)

  • 7:00am – 5:00pm Registration
  • 8:00am – 5:00pm Breakout Sessions

Tuesday, July 9

(Breakfast, lunch and transportation provided. Dinner on your own.)

  • 7:00am – 5:00pm Full Day Lab at NOCHI (Group 1)
  • 8:00am – 5:00pm Breakout Sessions (Group 2)

Wednesday, July 10

(Breakfast, lunch, and transportation provided. Dinner on your own.)

  • 7:00am – 5:00 pm – Full Day Lab at NOCHI (Group 2)
  • 8:00am – 5:00pm – Breakout Sessions (Group 1)

Thursday, July 11

(Breakfast and lunch provided. Dinner on your own.)

  • 8:00am – 3:00pm – Breakout Sessions
  • 3:00pm – 5:00pm – Exam Review Groups
  • 7:00pm – 9:00pm – Closing Reception

Friday, July 12

(Breakfast provided)

  • 8:00am – 10:00am Exam

*Schedule and locations are subject to change. Check back for additional evening activities.

ProStart Educator Certificate

The ProStart Educator Certificate Application is now live! Participants who successfully completed the 2023 ProStart Professional Development program are now eligible to apply. See the Credentials page for more info and to download the application.

ProStart Educator Certificate logo

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was there a change from Summer Institutes to ProStart Professional Development?

In response to feedback from the ProStart community, there was an overwhelming desire for a ProStart specific training to support the specific needs of the curriculum, classroom, and lab experience associated with ProStart.

Previously, we provided educator professional development that was available to any secondary food-service educator. While the content was largely based on the Foundations of Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts curriculum, it was not focused on the specific needs of educators in the ProStart classroom.

Summer Institutes, the previous iteration of educator training, had been in practice for more than a decade and was due for an update. It was an ideal opportunity to update the content to the new ProStart specific training model.

The new model provides a foundational standard of training with new avenues of learning for new and experienced educators to enhance their skills, gain credibility, and support the continued growth and recognition of the ProStart program.

The first iteration of ProStart Professional Development provided three (3) days of core content and an exam.  For 2024, an updated core program will be delivered over four (4) days with an exam on day five (5).  The new model has been elevated from the inaugural program in 2023 to include full day labs, more resources, and an additional day to get the most out of the experience.

Will additional courses be available for those who completed 2023 ProStart PD?

We anticipated valuable feedback from the 2023 ProStart PD session, and we’re taking the time to build on the ProStart PD foundational model in 2024 by incorporating the valuable feedback of our 2023 participants.

Educators are the backbone of the ProStart classroom experience. We’re dedicated to creating a core set of content that will equip everyone – no matter their years in the classroom – with tools and resources that cover a variety of program models, circumstances, and resources.  

If you joined us in 2023, the program has been updated and we hope you’ll take the time to return in 2024, where you’ll benefit from a revised and improved experience to deepen your engagement with the ProStart program.

We intend to introduce additional electives and tracks for ProStart PD completers starting in 2025. In the meantime, we’re dedicated to creating a solid, well-rounded core ProStart PD experience for all educators.

Who can attend?

ProStart educators who are employed at a confirmed ProStart program school may register. Programs must complete annual data collection each year to be a confirmed ProStart program.

What is the cost to attend?

The cost for ProStart Professional Development registration is $800.

Is there funding to support educators interested in attending?

Yes. Professional Development Grants are available in the amount of $2,000 ($800 to cover the cost of registration and $1,200 to assist with travel and expenses). These grants may ONLY be used for ProStart Professional Development courses. Educators who attended the 2023 ProStart PD program are ineligible to apply for a grant this year. Please check back in 2025 for additional opportunities to apply when additional courses are available.

The application will be open from Thursday, February 1 through Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

All educators interested in Professional Development Grants must apply via the application. Due to the nature of funding and financial restrictions, grant awards are only given out on a one-year basis and will not roll over into subsequent years.

Will there be levels and a spotlight series?

The spotlight series that was previously offered as a part of Summer Institutes will transition to spotlight course offerings for educators who have already achieved the ProStart Educator Certificate and will be included as a part of the new program beginning in 2025.

The spotlights will be provided as a 1-2 day course offering in addition to the core content each year thereafter.

Can experienced ProStart educators waive out of the core content to earn the ProStart Educator Certificate?

While we understand there are educators with years of experience with the program, all interested educators must complete the core content to receive the ProStart Educator Certificate.

Professional development is an ongoing experience and there is always something new to support the improvement of the ProStart experience. The program has been redesigned to adapt the curriculum to accommodate all levels of experience and provide opportunities for experienced educators to network, and encourage and support new educators as well.

How do I apply for the new ProStart Educator Certificate?

The ProStart Educator Certificate is available to educators who successfully completed to the ProStart Professional Development core program (2023 and 2024). See the Credentials for more information and to download the application.

What if I already have my CSFE? Do I need to do this training?

Yes, you must complete the core content component of ProStart PD to be eligible for the new ProStart Educator Certificate. The core content will include new and interactive opportunities to engage and enhance the ProStart experience for educators and students and will be a great benefit during training and beyond.

New and renewal applications for the CSFE are no longer being accepted. Current CSFE certificates are valid through their expiration date or when the program sunsets in 2028, whichever is sooner.

What is provided by NRAEF?

The NRAEF will provide educational and training materials, schedules, exams, and important information to educators prior to the course, via email. It is crucial that you register with an active email address so that we may reach out. If you do not have access to your school district email account during the summer months, please register using a personal email address to ensure you receive critical information and updates.

When does registration open for the 2024 course?

Registration for 2024 ProStart Professional Development will be open from April 1 through May 31, 2024.

Space is limited so register asap. Seats are confirmed on a first come, first-served basis.

Registration link to come soon.

What are the key dates for the 2024 course?

Educator Grant Applications Open – February 1, 2024

Educator Grant Application Close – March 5, 2024

Grant Application Award Notifications and Claiming – March 22, 2024

Registration Open – April 1, 2024

Registration Close – May 31, 2024

Cancellation Deadline – June 14, 2024

Full refund minus $25 admin fee – June 14, 2024

After June 14, substitutions only; no refunds

Who should I contact with questions?

Please first reach out with any questions to ProStart@nraef.org

2023 ProStart Professional Development – A Look Back

ProStart PD Fairmont Hotel
ProStart PD Dallas College

Educator Feedback

Instructors and organizers were funny, helpful and kind. It was great also to meet and collaborate with other teachers around the country. All of the comments and personal experiences from other teachers is helpful and thanks to the instructors for allowing those conversations to happen. Thank you for all of the work you’re doing!

Thank you! For a first-time, revamped program it went great and was well worth attending.

I love the hands on learning and the quality of the instructors – please keep this standard.

Thank you for this outstanding professional development and for the countless hours of prep you put into it.

Contact Us

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