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 of 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.

Enhancements for the 2025 core program include::

  • Experience-specific hands-on labs:
    • One day designated for educators with 0-4 years teaching ProStart
    • One day designated for educators with 5+ years teaching ProStart
  • Online pre-work to support foundational principles and preparation for the exam
  • Co-led sessions to emphasize curriculum content and implementation in the classroom
  • Exclusive sessions highlighting the release of the new 3rd edition textbook and related resources

As of 2025, nearly 300 educators have participated in ProStart PD. We are excited to introduce the ProStart PD Level Up program for core program completers. Those who attended in 2023 or 2024 can now take advantage of the Level Up program, designed by ProStart Educator Fellows, our national network of Educators of Excellence for 2024.

The Level Up program will consist of three days of interactive sessions designed to take the benefits of the core program to the next level. We leveraged the knowledge and expertise of our inaugural Educator Fellows program to bring the success of their classrooms to the larger ProStart community.

The Level Up program will include the following tracks:

  • Competition: Beyond the Rule Book
  • Café 101: Tips and Tricks for Running a School Based Enterprise (SBE)
  • Special Offsite Immersive Experience

In 2025, we will also introduce a mini-track for CTE Administrators to continue to promote the importance of ProStart as a critical component of the career and technical education landscape. CTE Administrators are invited to join us for a two-day experience with a focus on key program elements that makes ProStart a premiere program and essential to the hospitality industry pipeline.

The CTE Track will include:

  • A deep dive into the 3rd Edition of the Foundations of Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts (FRMCA) curriculum with emphasis on standards alignment
  • Credentials for concentrators and CTE completers
  • Perkins funding and essentials for success in the ProStart classroom
  • An introduction to Restaurants Works, the foundation’s new career pathways tool

Check back soon for updates, announcements, and more exciting details about ProStart PD Core, Level Up, and CTE Administrator programs as we prepare to return to New Orleans in the summer of 2025.

Course Details

2025 Dates

ProStart PD Core Program
July 6–10

ProStart PD CTE Administrator Track
July 6–8

ProStart PD Level Up Program
July 10–12

Location

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

Registration will be live on Monday, March 17, 2025 and will remain open through Friday, May 30, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.

Fees

ProStart PD Core Program:
Early Bird Registration: $650 – Deadline is Monday, April 14
Regular Registration: $750 – Deadline is Friday, May 30

ProStart PD CTE Administrator Program:
$250 – Deadline is Friday, May 30

ProStart PD Level Up Program:
$350 – Deadline is Friday, May 30

Educator Grants

The 2025 ProStart PD Educator Grant application is live!

Educator Grants in the amount of $2,000 are available for interested first-time attendees to attend the ProStart PD core program. These grant covers the cost of registration and hotel accommodations at the Roosevelt New Orleans. The NRAEF event team will work with selected grant recipients to confirm hotel reservations. Any remaining funds will be distributed to participants for additional expenses upon confirmation of attendance at the program.

You may access the application at this link.

The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.

All applicants will be notified of their application status at the completion of reviews. Those who are selected should await instructions before completing registration.

General Program Schedule

All times shown are Central Time (CT).

Online pre-work will be available beginning in May 2025.

Sunday, July 6

  • 12:00pm – 7:00pm Registration
  • 5:00pm – 7:00pm Opening Reception & Industry Panel

Monday, July 7

  • 8:00am – 4:00pm
    • ProStart PD Core Breakout Sessions
    • ProStart PD CTE Administrator Breakout Sessions

Tuesday, July 8

Back of the House and Culinary Exploration

  • 7:00am – 4:00pm Full Day Lab at NOCHI (Experience Level 1-4 years)
  • 8:00am – 4:00pm
    • ProStart PD Core Breakout Sessions (Experience Level 5+ years)
    • ProStart PD CTE Administrator Breakout Sessions

Wednesday, July 9

  • 7:00am – 4:00pm Full Day Lab at NOCHI (Experience Level 5+ years)
  • 8:00am – 4:00pm ProStart PD Core Breakout Sessions (Experience Level 1-4 years)
  • 8:00am – 12:00pm ProStart PD CTE Administrator Breakout Sessions
  • 10:00am – 4:00pm ProStart PD Level Up Track Sessions

Thursday, July 10

  • 8:00am – 1:00pm Exam
    • 10:00am – 12:00pm ProStart PD Core Management Competition
    • 8:00am – 4:00pm ProStart PD Level Up Track Sessions

    Friday, July 11

    • 8:00am – 12:00pm ProStart Level Up Track Sessions

    Schedule and locations are subject to change.

    ProStart Educator Certificate

    In accordance with changes to the ProStart PD core program, the ProStart Educator Certificate is undergoing a makeover. Please check back on this page for updated information about the new ProStart Educator Certificate process.

    ProStart Educator Certificate logo

    Frequently Asked Questions

    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.
    • CTE Administrators
    • ProStart PD core program completers may attend the ProStart PD Level Up program.
    What is the cost to attend?

    ProStart PD Core Program:
    Early Bird Registration: $650
    Regular Registration: $750

    ProStart PD CTE Administrator Program:
    $250

    ProStart PD Level Up Program:
    $350

    Is there funding to support educators interested in attending?

    Yes. ProStart PD Grants are available in the amount of $2,000. Grant funds will be allocated to cover registration and hotel accommodations. Grant recipients are required to stay at the host hotel. Our event staff will coordinate hotel reservations directly with all grant recipients. Any remaining funds will be distributed to recipients at the completion of the program to assist with additional expenses.

    Please check back for more information about the ProStart PD grant application and timelines.

    All educators interested in ProStart PD 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.

    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.

    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 2025 program?

    Registration for all programs will open in March 2025.

    Early bird registration rates for ProStart PD core program will apply from March through April.

    Regular registration rates for ProStart PD core program will apply from May through early June.

    Please check back for specific dates and deadlines.

    Who should I contact with questions?
    Please first reach out with any questions to ProStart@nraef.org
    Graphic of all ProStart Professional Development sponsor logos

    Contact Us

    Have questions about ProStart and our Educator resources? Please use the form below and we’ll connect with you, quickly!