Colorado ProStart® Student Invitational 2026

The Colorado ProStart® Student Invitational is the state’s premier culinary competition focused on testing student’s restaurant management and culinary arts skills. This year, more than 150 student competitors put their abilities to the test in front of industry leaders, family, and friends – all with hopes of earning the title of State champion and going on to represent Colorado at Nationals. 

The Management Competition will be held on March 3, 2026. Students will go head-to-head to see whose restaurant concept is ready to open it’s doors.

The Culinary Competition will take place on March 4, 2026. Students will have only 1 hour to create and appetizer, entree, and dessert without running water or electricity.

Spectators for both the Management and Culinary competitions are encouraged to attend! Admission to watch competition is free, we just ask for registration prior to the event days so we can best accommodate crowds.

Our Champions dinner will be held on March 4 at Reelworks Denver to honor the teams who have traveled across the state to compete for a chance to represent Colorado at the National ProStart® Student Invitational. We will also be celebrating the apprenticeship graduates and other Colorado Restaurant Foundation program participants throughout the night. The Champions dinner will start with a brief cocktail hour (21+ only) followed immediately by a 3-course dinner. 

Tickets for the Champions dinner will be on sale soon!

Please join us for the Colorado ProStart Student Invitational this year in Denver, Colorado!

Contact lnines@corestaurant.org for information on judging, sponsoring, or exhibiting during the Career & Education Fair at the event.