CHEF News: February 2026
Join a statewide promotional opportunity - while fundraising for the next generation of hospitality professionals!
Get your restaurant promoted during ProStart Week - a promotional opportunity that supports ProStart, the national high school culinary program serving more than 3,000 students in high schools across Connecticut.
How It Works:
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Sign up to become a Fundraising Partner for ProStart Week, March 2-8!
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During ProStart Week, invite guests to donate $10 to support culinary education
(round-up or alternative donation options welcome) -
Guests who donate receive a $10 gift card or coupon to your restaurant, encouraging a return visit
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Restaurants donate the collected funds to the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation
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Your restaurant gets promotion on social media, email marketing & press releases, included on a dedicated ProStart Week directory page, and increased guest goodwill with a built-in incentive for repeat business.
The Annual Connecticut ProStart Invitational returns for its 20th year on Monday, March 2! This year, we’re heading to Mohegan Sun for an inspiring day of showcasing the incredible skills of high school students across Connecticut, as they compete for scholarships and a chance to represent Connecticut at the National ProStart Invitational this April in Baltimore.
What is ProStart?
ProStart is a nationwide two-year high school program that teaches students the knowledge and skills they need for careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. The program is rolled out in high schools across Connecticut - and the U.S. - inspiring the next generation of industry professionals.
What is the Connecticut ProStart Invitational?
The Connecticut ProStart Invitational is made up of two competitions:
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Culinary Competition: High school culinary teams must prepare an exquisite three-course meal in just 60 minutes.
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Restaurant Management Competition: Teams present innovative restaurant concepts to a panel of industry experts, showcasing their business acumen and creativity.
The event concludes with an awards ceremony, with the winners proceeding to the National ProStart Invitational this April.
NEW for 2026: Cake Decorating Competition: This year we’ve added an additional new element. This event is designed to highlight students’ creativity, technical ability, and passion for the culinary arts. Students have 60 minutes to decorate their own themed cake, using multiple decoration techniques and showcasing their skills!
How can I get involved?
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Attend: Show you support for the next generation of culinary and hospitality leaders, and witness the impressive skills and passion of these young professionals. Let us know you’ll be there, here.
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Volunteer: We are looking for judges for Culinary & Management competitions, and - NEW for 2026 - the Cake Decorating competition! Express your interest, here.
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Sponsor: Increase your brand visibility within the culinary community by showcasing your brand. Support the future of the hospitality industry and demonstrate community commitment. Lots of sponsorship opportunities available! More information, here.
Titos Handmade Vodka is supporting the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation with their Cocktails for Charity fundraiser!
Now through March 31, 2026, Tito’s is donating $1 to the foundation from every Tito's cocktail purchased at participating restaurants:
- Archie Moore’s – New Haven
- Captain Daniel Packer Inn – Mystic
- Chips’ Pub – Clinton
- Elicit Brewing Company – Manchester
- Hard Hat Tavern – Durham & Wallingford
- Harvest Wine Bar – West Hartford
- Haven Beer Company – Hamden
- Jimmy’s Pub – Enfield
- Little Pub – Branford
- Market Grille – Manchester
- Murphy’s Pub – Manchester & Cromwell
- Pizza Palace – Enfield
- Rocking Horse Smokehouse – Vernon
- Salute – Rocky Hill
- Shish Kebab House – West Hartford
- Sparrow – West Hartford
- Steak Loft – Mystic
- The Lady – Hartford
- The Main Pub – Manchester
- The Yarde Tavern – Enfield
Visit a participating restaurant and support the fundraiser!
Cheers to giving back! Thank you to Tito’s Handmade Vodka and the participating restaurants for supporting CHEF.
Each year, the NRAEF awards more than $1 million in scholarships to individuals pursuing a post-secondary degree in the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry. The undergraduate scholarship application portal is now open!
The application portal will close on March 15.