BATTLE CREEK — Gaylord High School and several other Northern Michigan programs placed among the top competitors at the 2026 Michigan ProStart Invitational, where more than 500 high school students from 30 schools across the state showcased their culinary and hospitality skills.
The competition took place at the Wilson Talent Center in Battle Creek, where Gaylord High School finished third in the Culinary competition.
Other Northern Michigan-area winners and top finishers included Katerin Chilel-Lopez of Gratiot Isabella Technical Education Center, who won the Knife Skills category; Carston Fagan-Moyer of Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School District, who placed second in Knife Skills; Mecosta-Osceola ISD, which finished second in Tabletop Design; Mecosta-Osceola ISD Team B, which placed second in Pasta; and Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency Tech Center, which finished fourth in Tabletop Design.
The statewide competition was held this week and featured six categories: Management, Culinary, Knife Cuts, Tabletop Design, Pasta and ServSafe Knowledge Bowl. Students were observed, judged and rated by industry professionals and higher education professionals.
Approximately $900,000 in scholarships is available to ProStart students as they continue pursuing careers in the hospitality industry. First-place winners in the Culinary and Management categories also earned spots at the National ProStart Invitational set for April 24-26, 2026, in Baltimore.
In Culinary, teams were tasked with creating a three-course meal with a starter, entrée and dessert to demonstrate their culinary knowledge, skills and creativity.
Gaylord High School’s team included Emma Banks, Autumn Daleski, Aneliese Kage, Hunter Maczorowski and Gauge Tulgetske. Plymouth Canton Educational Park placed second and DCTC at Riverview Community High School won the category.
In Knife Skills, contestants selected four knife cuts to present and were assigned two additional cuts by judges. Chilel-Lopez of Gratiot Isabella TEC took first place while Fagan-Moyer of Mecosta-Osceola ISD finished second.
In Tabletop Design, teams developed a menu, set a table, presented the table and answered critical-thinking questions under this year’s “Spring has Sprung” theme. Wilson Talent Center won the category, Mecosta-Osceola ISD placed second and Iosco RESA Tech Center finished fourth.
In Pasta, teams prepared a unique pasta dish to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and creativity. Wilson Talent Center Team A won the category and Mecosta-Osceola ISD Team B finished second.
Sponsors of the Michigan ProStart Invitational included Sysco Corporation, Gordon Food Service, Michigan State University School of Hospitality, EcoLab, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and KitchenAid, a Whirlpool Corporation brand.
“The competition reflects the realities of a fast-paced career in the hospitality industry,” said Amanda Smith, executive director of the Michigan Hospitality Foundation. “From developing a three-course meal to setting an elegant tabletop design, the competition is giving these students practical experience and inspiration as they explore the many careers in hospitality.”
More than 7,000 Michigan students at 80 high schools and career centers participate annually in the ProStart curriculum, a two-year high school program that connects classroom learning to the restaurant and foodservice industry. The Michigan Hospitality Foundation hosts the statewide competition each spring.