Culinary Arts: NMSU Hospitality Faculty Judge at New Mexico ProStart Invitational; Carlsbad High to Represent State at Nationals

Students from across New Mexico gathered Monday at the Albuquerque Convention Center for the 2026 New Mexico ProStart Invitational, a statewide competition highlighting the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals.

Photos Courtesy NMSU School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (via Facebook)

Faculty members from New Mexico State University’s Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM) Department participated in the event as judges and exhibitors. Chef Instructor Danielle Young and Dr. Jean Hertzmanattended the competition to support students enrolled in culinary and hospitality management programs and to collaborate with the New Mexico Restaurant Association.

Photos Courtesy CHS Culinary Dept – Carlsbad High School – NM (via Facebook)

The ProStart competition challenges high school students to demonstrate the skills they develop through culinary and hospitality coursework. Competitors present their work to judges drawn from industry corporations, colleges, and universities.

Among the standout teams at this year’s state event was Carlsbad High School, whose students earned top honors across multiple categories.

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According to Carlsbad schools, the team “swept the boards,” earning first place in both the culinary and managementcompetitions, as well as the overall state title.

The winning management team included Josiah Jarnagin and Camille Martin, while the culinary team featured Myka Char, Stephanie Desantiago, David Balderrama, Joslyn Frintz, Averee Padilla, and Aiyanna Navarro.

With the state title secured, the Carlsbad team will now represent New Mexico at the National ProStart Invitational, scheduled for April 24–26 at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront in Baltimore, Maryland.

The national competition is considered the country’s premier secondary school event focused on restaurant management and culinary arts. Each year, more than 400 student competitors participate, presenting their skills to industry leaders, state restaurant associations, and culinary educators while competing for scholarships offered by culinary and restaurant management programs.

The National ProStart Invitational includes two distinct competitions — culinary and management — with the top five teams in each category receiving educational scholarships to support future careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. In 2024, more than $200,000 in scholarships were awarded to winning students.

Organized by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), the program aims to connect students with training, education, and career pathways in the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industries.

Community Help Needed Before Nationals

As the Carlsbad team prepares for the national stage, school officials say they are seeking assistance from the local community to ensure the students are competition-ready.

The team is currently looking for a professional who can help sew or tailor shirts and pants for the students’ uniforms before the trip to Baltimore.

Community members who may be able to assist are asked to contact Amanda Hale at:

Amanda.Hale@Carlsbadschools.net

With just a few weeks before departure, the team hopes a local professional can help ensure the students represent both Carlsbad and New Mexico with pride when they compete at the national level in April.