NRAEF : Blog

Meet the winners of our first ever “Give your Best Pitch” Virtual Student Competition! Pitches were judged on community impact, uniqueness, and real world application and viable business model. All three finalists took home a cash prize and grant funding for their ProStart classroom.

First Place

Pranav Swaminathan

School: Spruce Creek High School 

Concept: Curry Express Port Orange

Curry Express offers delicious mouth watering Indian food in a mobile restaurant that comes to you. Food would be supplied by their own community garden, and leftover food would be donated to people in need. Curry Express would serve food on compostable banana leaves with edible spoons to encourage sustainability.

Second Place

Alexandra De Chavez

School: Tiyan High School

Concept: Boka ni Mangi

Located on the island of Guam, Boka ni Mangi would serve the cuisine of the indigenous Chamorro people, promoting Chamorro culture, sustainability and healthy eating. Boka ni Mangi will offer restaurant patrons the opportunity to attend hands-on trainings at local farms to learn how to grow and care for their own produce.

Third Place

Keelan McBride 

School: North Eugene High School 

Concept: The Bridge

The Bridge restaurant will aim to close the gap between school and the professional work environment by building an internship program for students to participate in during high school. Students will gain real-life experience, be able to hone their skills and develop their passion for the restaurant industry that will set them up for success after graduation.