Texas
Culinary Competition is preparing Texas high schoolers for the future
WACO, Texas — The 2024 ProStart competition has over 500 high school students from Texas for a state-wide competition that prepares them for a future in the culinary and hospitality world.
SEE MORE: Students win over $1M at Texas Prostart Invitational culinary competitions
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For high school students thinking about a career in the culinary or hospitality world…
“There’s about 500 students here across Texas,” President and CEO of the Texas Resturaunt Association, Emily Williams-Knight, said.
The ProStart Invitational amps up that passion, with individual and team competitions, with scholarships available to ignite that passion further.
“Just under $1.5 million dollars in scholarship money will be up for grabs. The stakes are high, but more importantly, they’re learning so much about themselves and reinforcing why they should be part of our industry,” Williams-Knight said.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the U.S. Economy to add over eight million jobs by 2030, nearly two million of those to be in leisure and hospitality.
“We have about 1.4 million employees now, we’re now the largest employer in the state of Texas, so we need these young people to come compete against the best of the best in the state, reinforce that this is a place that they can build a career and be amongst the industry itself,” Williams-Knight said.
Getting live education and experience in different sectors of the culinary world.
“We learn a lot in the culinary industry, it’s a great way to get a job, it’s a great way to get your certifications, and it’s just a lot of fun in general,” sophomore competitor Hallie Riggen said.
“They just really encouraged me every step of the way to just get better,” sophomore competitor Kaden Walker said.
Having the opportunity to showcase promise and potential in a unique arena.
“Our kids work just as hard as the football team, basketball team, all those other teams, and so this is their outlet, this is their culinary Olympics,” culinary instructor David Roberson said.
High stakes for one of the largest industries across the globe.
“Come watch these kids you’ll be truly inspired,” Williams- Knight said.
A day off at the pool — and a little sunburn — didn’t stop the Minnesota Twins’ momentum.
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer as Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game, and the Twins went on to complete a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 win Thursday.
Minnesota has won four games in a row and scored 25 runs in the three-games series in Texas. The two teams had a rare, mid-series day off on Wednesday with the England-Croatia World Cup game being played in Arlington.
“We’re locked in every day,” Lee told Audra Martin on the team’s broadcast. “Yesterday, taking time off, lay out by the pool, get a little burnt and then right back to it. We did a good job getting focused. I feel like we do that with rain delays, too, just lock back in and we’re doing it.”
Lee’s 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter (3-7). Trevor Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot to straightaway center that just cleared the extended glove of leaping Alejandro Osuna. Larnach’s third hit was an RBI single in the fifth, and Ryan Kriedler hit a two-run homer in the eighth.
Joe Ryan (5-3) struck out seven but needed 97 pitches to get through five scoreless innings while allowing three singles. Leiter was done after the fourth, and has given up 17 runs while losing three starts in a row.
The Twins never trailed in the sweep that extended their winning streak to four, matching their longest this season. Their 14-5 record at Globe Life Field is the best for any American League opponent since the ballpark opened in 2020.
Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue hit solo homers for the Rangers, who have lost five of six games. They are 0-15 when giving up multiple runs in the first inning.
Twins DH Josh Bell, who was born in nearby Irving and grew up in the area, had an RBI single before Lee’s homer. Bell hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the series-opening 4-2 win Monday, and had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the first of a 12-2 win on Tuesday.
“We’re just passing the baton each time,” Lee said of the offensive output. “Our guys are hot. They feel good and they came out swinging today. It was awesome to see. We’ve done that for a while now.”
Up next
Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26 ERA) starts Friday at Arizona. The Diamondbacks are scheduled to start right-hander Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11).
Watch CBS News
A Texas state trooper was killed in a crash in the Panhandle, becoming the 244th Texas Department of Public Safety officer to die in the line of duty since 1823, according to the agency.
Sergio Romero, 27, died Wednesday after a semi-truck pulled in front of him as he attempted a traffic stop around 4 p.m. on U.S. 287 in Childress County, DPS said.
In a statement, Col. Freeman F. Martin praised Romero’s courage, integrity, and service.
“Today, we grieve the loss of one of our own,” Martin said. “… Our hearts break alongside his family, friends, fellow troopers, and all who loved him. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in service of his fellow Texans.”
Romero previously served with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office before joining DPS as part of Class B-2025 in Childress, the agency said.
He is survived by his wife, Francisca, and their two young sons.
Funeral arrangements are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
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