Florence High School Culinary Talents Set to Compete on State Stage in Pierre

Florence High School's culinary team hones their skills as they prepare for the state competition in Pierre, showcasing intricate cake designs and engaging in detailed instruction.

Northeast Radio SD News - Florence, SD - Students from Florence High School are putting the finishing touches on their recipes and business strategies as they prepare to represent their community at the 2026 South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

The high-stakes competition, administered by the South Dakota Retailers Association, brings together the top young culinary and hospitality minds from twelve high schools across the state. The event will take place at the Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center in Pierre, beginning Monday, March 9th.

For the Florence team, this isn’t just a competition—it’s a showcase of months of hard work, teamwork, and technical skill.

“ProStart® is an excellent way for us to invest in South Dakota’s future industry leaders,” said Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the Retailers Association. “Our students are highly skilled and graduate workplace ready.”

The Road to Baltimore

The Florence contingent will join 60 other participants in a fast-paced environment where precision is key. Students will compete for prestigious scholarships and the chance to advance to the National ProStart® Invitational held in Baltimore, MD.

The schedule for the event includes:

·         Monday, March 9: Cake Decorating Competition (Starting at 2:00 PM)

·         Tuesday, March 10: Restaurant Management and Culinary Competitions (Starting at 8:45 AM)

Local supporters are encouraged to follow the team’s progress. Those unable to make the trip to Pierre can find live updates and results on the official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SouthDakotaProstart/.

Participating schools include:

·         Florence 

·         Harrisburg 

·         Huron 

·         Mitchell CTE 

·         Madison Central 

·         Rapid City Stevens 

·         St. Francis Indian School

·         Sturgis Brown 

·         Sioux Falls CTE 

·         TF Riggs 

·         Vermillion 

·         Wagner Area