Thank you for your interest in serving as a judge for the 2027 Ben E. Keith Oklahoma ProStart Invitational!

We invite chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality industry professionals to share their expertise and help evaluate students competing in one of two areas:

• Culinary Competition: Evaluate students’ culinary skills, techniques, teamwork, and execution.
• Management Competition: Evaluate students’ restaurant management knowledge, business planning, marketing, and presentation skills.

Your industry experience and feedback will help students build confidence, strengthen their skills, and discover exciting career opportunities in Oklahoma’s hospitality industry.

Event Details

• Judges' Dinner: Wednesday, February 24, 2027 — optional, but we hope you can join us!
• Competition Day: Thursday, February 25, 2027
• Location: Details will be provided to confirmed judges.

Please complete the registration to indicate your interest, preferred competition area, and availability. We will follow up with additional details and confirmation.

Thank you for investing your time and talent in Oklahoma’s next generation of hospitality professionals. We appreciate your support!

The Oklahoma Restaurant Association Education Foundation is committed to supporting Oklahoma ProStart classrooms. Funding is limited, and requests will be reviewed based on demonstrated need, program growth, and available resources.

ProStart RESTART Fall 2026 Program

Presented by the Oklahoma Restaurant Association in partnership with the One Ten Legacy Fund

The Oklahoma Restaurant Association, in partnership with the One Ten Legacy Fund, is proud to support Oklahoma’s ProStart high schools and technology centers through the ProStart RESTART Fall 2026 initiative!

This program is designed to strengthen our future hospitality workforce — and it all starts in the classroom. Through this partnership, funds have been set aside to help enhance ProStart programs across the state by providing much-needed support and resources.

What is ProStart RESTART?

ProStart RESTART provides Oklahoma ProStart educators the opportunity to apply for funding to support a variety of classroom needs within their ProStart programs.

The application process is simple and fully online. Approved applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been distributed — so don’t delay! Fund distribution will begin in January 2027.

Take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your school’s ProStart program and inspire the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for funding:

•  You must be a current Oklahoma ProStart school and registered with the NRAEF. 
• Applications must be submitted by December 18, 2026, provided funds are still available.
• Funds must be used by December 15, 2027.
•  Funds must be used exclusively to support your ProStart culinary or restaurant management program (not for other classes or projects).
•  The application must be completed online by the registered ProStart Instructor (Instructor 1 or 2).
•  All submissions will be reviewed and approved by the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation.