South Dakota High School Students Showcase Culinary Skills

Investing in Future Culinary Leaders

Ever wonder what today's high school students are up to? Spoiler alert: They're whipping up gourmet masterpieces, managing imaginary restaurants like seasoned pros, and sculpting edible art that would make professional bakers jealous.

This March, twelve South Dakota high schools will converge on Pierre for the ultimate culinary battle royale—the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational. Picture "Top Chef" meets high school hallways, where 60 talented students will trade textbooks for chef's knives and business plans.

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Sweet Beginnings: Cake Decorating Competition

The action heats up Monday, March 9th, at 2:00 PM at the Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center in Pierre, with the cake-decorating competition. But don't let the sweet start fool you—these students mean business. Tuesday, March 10th at 8:45 AM, the intensity cranks up as culinary arts and restaurant management competitions take center stage.

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

Scholarships and National Recognition

And the stakes? Winners don't just get bragging rights—they'll snag scholarships and advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland, where they'll represent the Mount Rushmore State on a national stage.

Schools sending their best include Florence, Harrisburg, Huron, Mitchell CTE, Madison Central, Rapid City Stevens, St. Francis Indian School, Sturgis Brown, Sioux Falls CTE, TF Riggs, Vermillion, and Wagner Area.

The competition is free and open to the public. Can't make it? Follow the action on Facebook at facebook.com/SouthDakotaProstart.

Sioux Falls To Iceland And Back...Magical Journey!

Gallery Credit: Ben Davis / Canva

Do You Remember These Closed Sioux Falls Restaurants?

Tasty restaurants have come and gone over the years. Unfortunately, some of these restaurants were our favorites and we still crave their food.

What I wouldn't do for one more Monte Cristo sandwich from Benningan's, or a Porky Calzone from Zaroty Pizza Kitchen.

Here's a list of several of our favorite Sioux Falls restaurants that have closed. Oh, we know there are many more. If we missed your favorite, make sure you send us a message or check out this story on our Facebook page and comment.

From eating cheeseburgers at the counter of Hamburger Inn to devouring egg rolls at Ming Wah Cafe, here's a list of our favorite restaurants that have closed and we miss.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown / Townsquare Media

Source: South Dakota’s Teen Culinary Stars Ready to Sizzle at ProStart Showdown