Student Opportunities
Oklahoma ProStart® are provided many opportunities to get involved; through hours of hands-on training, you'll gain invaluable experience at the same time. Participating in our programs is a great way to launch your culinary or management career. If you have questions, contact Roberta Helsley at (405) 942-8181 or via email at roberta@okrestaurants.com.
Educational ScholarshipsAre you currently enrolled or about to enroll in a college hospitality industry program, like Hospitality Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or Culinary Arts Education? If so, be sure to apply for the ORA Scholarship, to be used toward the pursuit of undergraduate, master's degree or continuing education at a post-secondary accredited institution. The deadline to apply is February 11, so hurry!
Apply for scholarships. We have money to give and we want to give it to you!
Oklahoma ProStart® Student Invitational
The ProStart® Student Invitational competition will showcase the culinary and academic talents of more than 200 ProStart® students from high schools and technology centers across the state. The highlight of the Student Invitational is students participating in a team competition-style format in both the culinary and management competition. The winning teams from each competition will be awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals and scholarships to pursue post-secondary education. The winning high school teams in the culinary and management competition will represent Oklahoma at the national competition in Washington, DC in May. Industry professionals are also involved as team coaches and judges during the event. All contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Any ProStart® student interested in competing should contact their high school or technology center instructor for more details.
Odyssey de Culinaire ProStart Student ApplicationOdyssey de Culinaire is a fundraising dinner to benefit the Oklahoma ProStart® program. The event, which is open to the public, features two elegant evenings of dining - one in Oklahoma City and one in Tulsa. These benefit dinners have a unique spin that creates collaboration among chefs from Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Attendees in each city are treated to a five-course dinner. The chefs are assisted in their meal preparation by high school students who are currently active in ProStart® schools in Oklahoma. Funds raised from the event are used to provide support to students, teachers, and schools who are part of Student Programs, including teacher training and development, materials and resources for student recruitment, assistance with job placement for internships, and graduate employment and industry-driven events for hospitality students.
From those who apply, ProStart® students are chosen for this event based on involvement in the program and recommendations from teachers. If you are currently an Oklahoma ProStart student and wish to have the opportunity to work alongside one of Oklahoma's best-known chefs, apply to be considered for participation. In order to participate, you must also be available on the date of the event and must be available to be onsite by 12pm the day of event to work with your chef in the preparation of the event.
ORA Culinary Cook-off ProStart Student ApplicationThe Culinary Cook-off is a cooking competition that takes place during the ORA Expo each August. Twelve of the most talented Oklahoma chefs, each paired with a student Culinary Assistant, will race the clock to create dazzling dishes using a mystery basket of ingredients. Chefs compete in various heats until the contest is narrowed down to the last two chefs. Judges consist of a panel of industry professionals who will critique each chef/assistant team on plate presentation, creativity, product taste, and sanitation practices, among other things. Up for grabs are trophies, medals, and cash prizes.
The Oklahoma Restaurant Association accepts applications for Student Culinary Assistants for the
ORA Culinary Cook-off. If you are a culinary student you may apply here!
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