Pierre T.F. Riggs ProStart® Culinary Team didn’t place, but had a great experience competing in national contest

May 6, 2025:

The Pierre T.F. Riggs High School ProStart Culinary Team competed in the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, MD, over the weekend (May 2-4, 2025).

Team Manager and high school senior Chesney Kalda says they made the same dishes they did at the state competition, but did a little tweaking to them.

While they were making dishes and using equipment they were familiar with, Kalda says the national contest had a different vibe than the state contest.

As the team leader and only senior, Kalda says what she enjoyed the most was spending time with her team.

Kalda encourages every high school student that has the opportunity to take ProStart classes, to do it– especially Pierre students.

Chef J, LaKisha Jordan, coaches the Pierre T.F. Riggs ProStart team. She said the students did a great job working as a team and several judges commented to her about how calm, cool and collected her group was.

The South Dakota Retailers Association organizes South Dakota’s ProStart Invitational. Last year (2024), they named Chef J their ProStart State Educator of Excellence for her outstanding achievement in culinary and restaurant management education.

Courtesy photo.

Courtesy photo.

Courtesy photo.

Courtesy photo.

Courtesy photo.

March 12, 2025:

The Pierre T.F. Riggs High School ProStart Culinary Team earned a trip to the national competition after winning first place at the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational contest in Pierre Tuesday (March 11, 2025).

Team Manager and high school senior Chesney Kalda also received the President’s Award, which is earned by an individual who exhibits strong leadership throughout the culinary contest. She told DRG News that her main focus was time management.

Junior Temperance Uhrig focused on making the dessert portion of their menu.

ProStart teams have to use portable cooking devices to make their creations rather than traditional appliances found in most kitchens. Uhrig says that can be challenging.

Senior Mackenzie Newell did the operations logistics piece of the restaurant Management contest.

Newell says teamwork is the key to success.

Senior Shannon Selby did the SWOT portion of Restaurant Management.

Pierre junior Destiny Straight worked on the marketing piece.

Sophomore Kate Stolley participated in the Cake Decorating contest.

LaKisha Jordan, more commonly known as Chef J, coaches the Pierre T.F. Riggs ProStart team. The South Dakota Retailers Association organizes South Dakota’s ProStart Invitational. Last year (2024), they named Chef J their ProStart State Educator of Excellence for her outstanding achievement in culinary and restaurant management education.

The top-placing teams from the Culinary and Management competitions receive scholarships and advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, MD, in May (May 2-4, 2025).

Other schools participating were Aberdeen ATEC, Florence High School, Harrisburg High School, Huron High School, Mitchell Career and Technical Academy, Northeast Technical High School (Watertown), Rapid City Stevens High School, St. Francis Indian School and Sioux Falls Career and Technical Academy.

ProStart® is a two-year high school program that develops students into restaurant and hospitality leaders.

CONTEST RESULTS:

Culinary:

1. Pierre T.F. Riggs High School

2. Rapid City Stevens High School

Management:

1. Harrisburg High School

2. Pierre T.F. Riggs High School

Cake Decorating:

1. Mitchell High School