Hal Smith Restaurants ProStart RESTART Program
 The Oklahoma Restaurant Association in partnership with Hal Smith Restaurants is grateful to support you!  ProStart RESTART 2025!  Hal Smith Restaurants continues to partner with the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation/Oklahoma Restaurant Association to support Oklahoma's ProStart high schools and technology centers. Funds have been set aside to help build a highly skilled future hospitality workforce - And this starts in the classroom!

 ProStart ReSTART is a way for Oklahoma ProStart educators to apply for funding to support different needs for their ProStart programs. It's easy to apply with this online application. Eligible/Approved applications will be funded until funds are no longer available -  so don't delay!  
 Take advantage of this funding to help enhance your school's ProStart Program.
 To be eligible for funds:

 

• You must be a current Oklahoma ProStart school and registered with NRAEF.
• Funds must be used by December 15, 2025.
• Should funding still be available, applications must be completed by November 15, 2025. 
• Funds must be used to support your ProStart culinary and restaurant management program and cannot be used for other classes or projects.
• The application must be made online and completed by the registered instructor (ProStart Instructor 1 or 2).
• Submissions will be reviewed by the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation for approval.

Greetings Culinary Students - ProStart Rockstars!

You've been invited to be part of a magical and memorable event Odyssey de Culinaire scheduled for July 9, 2025 at The Skirvin Hilton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.  For over 20 years, the Oklahoma Restaurant Association has hosted the annual Odyssey de Culinaire dinner. This unique event provides students an exceptional opportunity to work with and be mentored by great chefs, industry leaders and even future employers. 

Are you ready to embrace a new culinary adventure? Now's your time to take on the challenge and meet some great chefs and industry leaders along the way.  Students who are selected will be creating and cooking special dishes for our annual open-to-the-public "foodie event". Students will be paired with some of the best and most talented chefs in Oklahoma's culinary community. Funds raised from the Odyssey de Culinaire dinner event are used to provide support to ProStart programs across Oklahoma -- with scholarships, food lab supplies, teacher development, and hosting special student events. 

ProStart students chosen to participate at this event will be based on their involvement in the program and recommendations from their culinary teachers. To be eligible, students must apply through this link and must commit to be available from 12pm on the date of the event through the completion of the dinner activities - approximately 9:30pm. 

 THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS May 16, 2025. 

Odyssey de Culinaire will take place on: July 9, 2025, at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel, Oklahoma City. 

PHOTO RELEASE:
If I am chosen to participate, I hereby consent to the use of photographs/videotape taken during the course of this event for publicity, promotional, and/or educational purposes (including publications, presentation, or broadcast via newspaper, internet, or other media sources). I do this with full knowledge and consent and waive all claims for compensation for use, or for damages.