South Dakota’s Culinary Stars: High School Champions Crowned at 2026 ProStart Invitational

South Dakota high school students shine as they claim victory at the 2026 ProStart Invitational, showcasing their culinary skills and earning top honors.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - The heat was on in the kitchen this week as South Dakota’s top high school culinary and hospitality students gathered in Pierre for the 2026 South Dakota ProStart Invitational. Held March 9-10, the high-stakes competition saw familiar faces returning to the winner’s circle, with Mitchell CTE, Harrisburg High School, and TF Riggs High School all securing top honors for the second consecutive year.

The ProStart Invitational is a rigorous test of professional skills, challenging students in culinary arts, hospitality management, and public speaking. This year, ten teams from across the state competed for a chance to showcase their talents on the national stage.

The Winners’ Circle

The competition was divided into three primary categories, each designed to simulate the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of the professional food service industry.

Category	Winning School	Instructor	Key Highlight
Culinary Arts	TF Riggs High School	LaKisha Jordan	Prepared a 3-course meal in 60 minutes without electricity.
Management	Harrisburg High School	Deb Rombough	Developed and defended a comprehensive restaurant business plan.
Cake Decorating	Mitchell CTE Academy	Cindy Gerlach	Student Dailyn Kiner won with an “Under the Sea” theme.

Culinary Excellence Under Pressure

In the Culinary Division, students are pushed to the limit, tasked with preparing a gourmet three-course meal in just one hour using only two butane burners—no electricity allowed. TF Riggs High School (Pierre) defended their title, with team members Tanir Taylor, Zoe Kinney, Christian Stanley, Emma Robertson, and Kate Stolley earning a trip to the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, MD.

Business Minds in the Kitchen

The Management Division focused on the “front of house” and corporate side of the industry. Harrisburg High School students Shylah Hansen and Jax Rosenbaum impressed judges with their restaurant concept, operations plan, and marketing strategy, securing their second consecutive first-place finish and a spot at the national competition.

Artistry and Legacy

In the Cake Decorating Division—a category unique to South Dakota—Dailyn Kiner of Mitchell CTE Academy claimed her second straight victory with a stunning “Under the Sea” design.

The event also introduced the Clark Kelley Legacy Award, honoring the late long-time judge’s commitment to safety and sanitation. Sturgis Brown High School took home this inaugural honor for achieving the highest sanitation score in the culinary flight.

“Through ProStart, high school students develop culinary and hospitality management skills applicable to a variety of businesses,” said Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association. “This is real-world career preparation at its finest.”

Individual Honors

Zoe Kinney of TF Riggs High School was distinguished with the President’s Award, sponsored by the Black Hills Chapter of the American Culinary Federation, for exhibiting exceptional leadership throughout the grueling two-day event.

Participating Schools: Florence, Harrisburg, Huron, Mitchell CTE, Madison Central, Rapid City Stevens, Sturgis Brown, Sioux Falls CTE, TF Riggs, and Vermillion.

The South Dakota Retailers Association administers the South Dakota ProStart program in partnership with the South Dakota Department of Education.