Each year in Pierre, SD the ProStart competition brings together teams from across the state to showcase their culinary and hospitality skills. This year, Rapid City Stevens High School students participated for the first time and brought home a second place win.
Senior Dominic Niemann, junior Howard O’Neal III, and s ophomore Alexandra Knudson said “yes” to the challenge and practiced their culinary skills diligently in the weeks leading up to the contest. The judges commended the team on its menu, cleanliness, temperature of the food, and presentation.
These students exemplified teamwork and problem-solving skills. During the competition, with the clock ticking, they had to fix a stove that wouldn’t ignite, makeup time from a cut finger that took time to get properly bandaged, and after a dish was broken, they improvised with the limited preparation tools that had been packed. Although under pressure, they kept their cool and calmly addressed these setbacks, which showed the students’ perseverance and dedication.
Dominic Niemann works at Dakota Meat Company in Main Street Square. He plans to attend Mitchell Tech Culinary School this fall and was able to make some valuable connections with current students and instructors. Howard O’Neal III is a junior and Alex Knudson is a sophomore and they are already planning to compete in next year’s competition.
This year’s team had community support and involvement in getting ready for the competition. Jared Bren, owner of Tandoor Bocado Restaurant, Dakota Pure Bison, and Dakota Meat Co., Jeff Slathar from Terra Sancta Retreat Center, and Julie Smoragiewicz all assisted in advising the team and judging our practices.
ProStart is a National Restaurant Association program administered by the SD Retailers Association.
