The RI Hospitality Association recently awarded nearly $6,000 to two local schools to assist in launching their ProStart® culinary programs. ProStart is a nationwide, two-year high school program developed by the National Restaurant Association that unites the classroom and industry to develop future restaurant and food service leaders.

The grants were provided to the Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center, which received $2,937.70, and the East Providence Area Career and Technical Center, which received $2,977.75. The grant awarded to each school will help defray the cost of teacher instruction resources and students’ textbooks. Students who earn a ProStart Certificate of Achievement have met Rhode Island CTE standards and qualify for various scholarships and collegiate credit programs at more than 60 colleges and universities throughout the United States.

David DePetrillo, Chairman of the RI Hospitality Education Foundation; Heather Singleton, Chief Operating Officer at the RI Hospitality Association/RI Hospitality Education Foundation; Mary Hatch, Chef Instructor at the East Providence Area Career & Technical Center; Karen Mellen, Director at the East Providence Area Career & Technical Center.

David Lahousse, Secretary/Treasurer of the RI Hospitality Education Foundation; David DePetrillo, Chairman of the RI Hospitality Education Foundation; Heather Singleton, Chief Operating Officer at the RI Hospitality Association/RI Hospitality Education Foundation; Paul Jalaf, Chef Instructor at the Woonsocket Area Career & Technical Center; William Webb, Director at the Woonsocket Area Career & Technical Center.