Three Taunton High School students recently represented Taunton Public Schools at the 2026 National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland, competing in the restaurant management category against some of the top high school hospitality and restaurant management students in the country.
Students Logan Rebello, Ashlyn Hebert, and Samuel Andrade placed 15th overall out of 48 teams nationwide and earned praise from judges for their professionalism, critical thinking, and depth of industry knowledge throughout the competition.
The students qualified for the national competition after placing first in the restaurant management competition at the state level earlier this year.
Hosted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the National ProStart Invitational brings together state champion teams from across the country to compete in culinary arts and restaurant management events. More than 400 students participate annually, competing for national recognition, scholarships, and opportunities within the hospitality industry.
As part of the restaurant management competition, the Taunton High School team developed and presented an original restaurant concept called Sauce 22, a Texas-style barbecue restaurant centered around 22 signature sauces. The students created a comprehensive 32-page proposal that included the restaurant’s concept, menu, operations plan, marketing strategy, floor plan, and interior design.
Teams in the restaurant management category are evaluated on their ability to develop and present a complete restaurant business plan while responding to questions from industry professionals about operations, branding, finances, and real-world restaurant challenges.
“These students competed on a national stage against teams from vocational schools, career academies, and comprehensive high schools from across the country and represented Taunton incredibly well,” said Superintendent John J. Cabral. “Their success speaks to the strength of our Culinary Arts program, the preparation and professionalism of our students, and the opportunities available to students at Taunton High School.”
“These students represented Taunton Public Schools exceptionally well throughout the entire competition,” said Culinary Arts teacher and ProStart Advisor Sarah Gibson. “They were professional, hardworking, flexible, and supportive of one another from start to finish. Competing at the national level is demanding, especially with the travel and long days involved, but they handled every part of the experience with maturity and confidence. We are incredibly proud of how they represented our Culinary Arts program and the City of Taunton.”
The National ProStart Invitational is considered one of the nation’s premier high school competitions for students pursuing careers in culinary arts, hospitality, and restaurant management.