Delaware school cooks up top prize at national culinary competition
Students compete for share of scholarships
Caesar Rodney High School in Camden once again cooked up a championship title at a national culinary competition that’s considered “Top Chef” for American high schoolers. The event was held over the weekend in Baltimore.
Delaware students Melia Stamper, Shannon Powell, Ralph Figueroa, Carys Raber, and Zoe Rowe at the 2024 National ProStart Invitational bested teams from 47 other states who battled in the two-day showdown that featured over 400 students and top restaurant and food service industry judges.
Their winning menu on Sunday included hand-rolled pork dumplings, pepper-crusted steak Diane, and a lemon meringue tart.
The team was led by educator Riki Senn and Thomas Hannum, an owner of Buckley’s Tavern in Centreville and Wilmington’s Goober’s Diner, who mentored the students.
This is the second time Caesar Rodney has gotten top honors. In 2022, a team from the school also won the National ProStart Invitational. It was the first time a Delaware team nabbed the title.
In 2023, the school had a team that placed second. All teams have been mentored and coached by Senn and Hannum.
The National ProStart Invitational is the nation’s largest high school culinary and restaurant management contest. A fusion of “Chopped” and “Shark Tank,” it provides a platform for the students to compete for a share of scholarships totaling $200,000.
Hosted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront on April 26 to 28, the National ProStart Invitational was a high-stakes competition of the country’s best student culinary and restaurant management teams, each of whom earned the right to compete after winning their state-level competitions.
The Caesar Rodney High School advanced to the national level after they won the state competition in March at the Chase Center at the Wilmington Riverfront. It was the fifth year in a row that the Camden school has claimed the title.
Culinary teams prepared, plated and presented a three-course dining menu without access to electricity or running water, and using just two butane burners.
Judges assessed them on several factors: food safety and sanitation, costs, preparation, and plating/presentation. In another competition, 48 restaurant management teams presented and defended original restaurant concepts.
Caesar Rodney created three menuready recipes, including detailed cooking instructions, and menu cost analysis. They then cooked and plated each dish for tasting.
“It’s inspiring to watch these students put so much of their hearts and souls into this competition and to know that the grit that got them here will be what propels their careers,” said Michelle Korsmo, president & CEO of the National Restaurant Association and CEO of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
Students who complete the ProStart program are ready to join a professional kitchen or advance to higher education, according to the organization. The program reaches nearly 165,000 students at almost 1,850 schools.
If you want to read more stories from Patricia Talorico, visit delawareonline.com/staff/2646617001/patricia-talorico You can find her on Instagram , X and Facebook . Email ptalorico@delawareonline.com . Sign up for her Delaware Eats newsletter.
The 2024 ProStart National Invitational Culinary Winners
1 Caesar Rodney High School, Camden, Delaware
2 Herndon Career Center, Raytown, Montana
3 Anderson Career and Technology Center, Williamston, South Carolina
4 Ben Barber Innovation Academy, Mansfield, Texas
5 Normandy High School, Parma, Ohio