Chef Kubiak, our new ProStart teacher has brought new things along with him, including ideas. He’s getting together a team to join the Iowa ProStart Invitational. This is a competition, competing against other high school teams. You’re provided one hour to create a three-course meal in this “Top-Chef” style of competition. Students on the team will be judged on product taste, sanitation, safety, knife skills, menu and recipe development, costs, and so much more.

Brian Sandblom, a student interested in joining said, “This competition is a great way to prepare students for the real world and gain experience within the kitchen.”

Kubiak has ideas on what the menu will look like, but the students pitch some ideas.

Brian Sandblom said, “Breaded tenderloin, brownie bites, and pasta. I think these will be great additions if I get in.” 

Chef Kubiak will be taking five to seven people on his team. Five for the main team, two for alternates. You must be in ProStart or any ProStart course. This does not include Culinary I or II. Chef Kubiak wants the best cooks of this school.

It’s high stakes. As Kubiak said, “If we win State, we go to Nationals.” This isn’t for the faint of heart, as dedication and hard work are required. He also said, “You must have a passion for cooking, though you do not need to be, nor want to be in the industry to enter. People will be selected in the coming months, or possibly the next couple of weeks.”

There will be training in the coming months, where you’ll build your menu and recipes. These meetings will mostly take place during Power Hour, though getting closer to the date of the competition, there will be some before and after school. People can benefit from this by gaining vital and valuable knowledge about cooking, and other culinary skills involved in the industry. You may even find a new path you haven’t tried before.

Chef Kubiak also wants to ensure the people of the team have fun while still winning. Chef Kubiak said, “Expect Victory.”