LRA - 2026 Pro-Start Competition
Venue & Location
March 18–19, 2026
Exhibitors
Attendees include high school culinary and restaurant management students representing ProStart programs, educators, mentors, industry judges, and foodservice professionals. They participate in intense culinary and management competitions, gain exposure to real-world industry standards, and connect with peers and professionals shaping the future of hospitality.
Attendees
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, LA, USA
Dates
Exhibitors at the event include foodservice brands, culinary equipment suppliers, educational institutions, and hospitality partners supporting the competition and engaging with rising industry talent. These organizations showcase products, training resources, and career pathways that align with culinary arts and restaurant management education.
Activities and Highlights
Fast-paced culinary competition where student teams prepare multi-course meals under time pressure.
A management competition where teams pitch restaurant concepts to industry judges.
Awards ceremonies.
Networking with hospitality professionals.
Opportunities to observe industry best practices.
Statistics from Previous Shows
The program reaches over 200,000 students
2,000+ high schools
Across all 50 states
400 mentored hours in the industry
Awarded more than $800,000
Scholarship opportunities
Pursue a career in the restaurant and foodservice industry
Reasons to Exhibit
Exhibiting at this competition enables brands to engage directly with future industry talent, educators, and hospitality professionals. The environment supports meaningful connections, enhances visibility among emerging talent, and aligns product offerings with the next generation of culinary and restaurant management leaders.
Keywords
culinary competition event, ProStart hospitality expo, high school culinary showcase, restaurant management challenge, foodservice education event, student chef competition, hospitality career expo, culinary skills contest, industry engagement event