New Career and Technical Education Program Offered
This fall, Red Oak High School is very excited to begin our new ProStart culinary arts program! ProStart is a program created by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and supported by industry members, educators, the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation, and the NRAEF. ProStart was developed to teach students culinary techniques and management skills with real-world educational opportunities. The program is perfect for students who plan to directly enter the workforce and also prepares college-bound students for further studies in culinary arts. Students entering the ProStart program will be required to complete a Food & Nutrition class to prepare them with basic skills and will include ServSafe’s Safe Handler certification. Students continuing into ProStart will learn food safety best policy through the ServSafe Manager program and have the opportunity to take the exam for certification. Iowa code requires every food establishment to have a certified food protection manager on staff, so this opportunity allows our students to get a head start in the industry.
Ms. Henke has been attending trainings throughout the year and, as part of the program, has studied with chefs in Des Moines. This June she will head to South Carolina for a week-long institute to learn further skills and techniques necessary for industry and recommended for our students who wish to learn life-long culinary skills. We are thrilled