The future of the hospitality industry in Texas is bright if the 2022 National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) is any indication. Outshining 80 other culinary and restaurant management teams from across the country, Ben Barber Innovation Academy of Mansfield earned a first place at the invitational, which is hosted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). The Mansfield academy won the restaurant management competition with its “The Herb’N Table” concept that featured a farm-to-table, contemporary-casual dining experience.
Held in Washington, D.C., in May, this was the first in-person conference for NPSI since 2019. Sponsors of the three-day event included Ecolab, Nestlé Professional, The Coca-Cola Co., and Golden Corral. More than 1,000 people attended the event, which included nearly 400 ProStart participants and 68 judges.
The competition awarded over $200,000 in scholarship funds to winning teams to support their future careers. Past NPSI winners have gone on to work at some of the best restaurants in the world.