Michigan Hospitality Foundation partners with Michigan National Guard to provide hands-on experience for culinary students

The Michigan Hospitality Foundation (MHF) is teaming up with the Michigan Army National Guard (MIARNG) to provide high school students in the state with additional hands-on experience and career pathways in the hospitality industry. 

To celebrate the partnership, MHF and MIARNG hosted a cooking event earlier this month for local students enrolled in ProStart, a two-year culinary arts program from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation that provides mentorship and training to high school students looking toward a career in the food industry.

ProStart students worked with MIARNG members while onboard one of five Mobile Kitchen Trailers (MKTs) to prepare apple crisp, fajitas and other National Guard recipes for thousands of eighth grade students and members of the public at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center.

During the event, the students were able to learn about different culinary positions at MIARNG and what goes into preparing meals that meet military standards. 

“This partnership will drive student learning and engagement in the hospitality industry,” said Amanda Smith, executive director of the Michigan Hospitality Foundation, in statement. “And this event specifically will help the next generation of culinary talent gain new skills and learn more about viable career paths and postsecondary training opportunities for military and veterans.”

As operators continue to face staffing shortages, some are turning to local culinary students to help them come up with menu ideas, fill in staffing gaps and more. 

At Livingston Parish Public Schools in Livingston, La., for example, ProStart students can participate in an annual culinary competition to develop recipes for the district’s food truck.