The Bearcats did a fantastic job at our State ProStart Competition. First off, they ALL put their heart and soul into the competition- with practices and months of preparation. The countless afterschool hours that these students put in was amazing and really showed their work ethic and passion for the industry.

For the Johnny Rockets ProStart Culinary Cup a team must make an appetizer, entrée, and dessert in 1 hour with only 2 butane burners. They are also judged on knife cuts, safety and sanitation, plating, professionalism, costing and taste/flavor.

The BJ’s ProStart Management Cup has teams developing a restaurant concept from the ground up! This means a whole written business proposal with an approximate 55 page restaurant concept proposal, a 10 minute PowerPoint presentation (similar to a “sell” on Shark Tank), a visual display board, critical thinking Q & A with judges, and costing. All this must be presented in front of a panel of industry professionals. It is an intense presentation and the preparation for it is something they have been working on for much of the year.

At the awards ceremony, Mrs. Brandler was chosen by The BJ’s Foundation and was honored with The BJ’s Foundation Restaurant Management Teacher of the Year. Bonita High School also received the “Spirit Award” and was awarded a Kitchen Aid Immersion Blender. Besides cheering for each other, the students had family and friends there supporting them, and they brought their enthusiasm and posters. Senior Drake R. was awarded the BJ’s Foundation ProStart Culinary Student of the Year for his participation in the ProStart program, CRAF, and his dedication to the hospitality industry. Drake not only received this prestigious honor at the awards show, but he also received a $2000 scholarship to any school he decides to pursue (he has applied to the Culinary Institute of America and Cal Poly Pomona’s Collins College). Overall, a fantastic weekend for Bonita High School!

Mrs. Brandler was very impressed with each of the teams- at their effort, their professionalism, their dedication, their teamwork, and their ability to shine!

BHS: Team A- Culinary
August D.- Captain
Adelina M.
Jonah M.
Vincent B.

BHS: Team B- Culinary
Christian A.- Captain
Miguel R.
Sara S.
Jason S.

BHS: Team C- Culinary
Drake R.- Captain
Shianne P.
Timiaya R.
Dorian A.
BHS: Management
Jason S.- Captain
John H.

The Bearcats also worked closely with the teams from San Dimas High School (2 culinary and 2 management). It was great to see Bearcats and Saints, though still competitive, working together and cheering each other on. Between the 2 schools, we had 3 management teams compete, ALL 3 placed in the top 10! The culinary teams showed dedication, teamwork, and executed their menus in front of some extremely intimidating judges. One of San Dimas’ Culinary Teams took 4th place (only .013 from 3rd place) and each team member received a $2000 scholarship to Cal Poly Pomona’s Collins College! With such stiff competition, this is a great accomplishment. It was a great showing by the Bonita Unified School Distri