Mayor Dan Gelber requested at the February 9, 2022 Commission meeting to place an item for discussion on the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee agenda to discuss providing a one-time contribution of $100,000 in funding towards the cost of implementing a “Pro Start” Hospitality Training Program at Miami Beach Senior High.

ProStart is a nationwide, two-year high school culinary arts and restaurants management program that reaches approximately 130,000 students in more than 1,700 high schools across 50 states, Guam and the District of Columbia.  From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-life experience opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime. Students who have completed the requirements of the Prostart program are awarded an industry-recognized certificate, the Prostart National Certificate of Achievement. Students who receive the certificate are eligible for NRAEF scholarship opportunities and course credits at some of the country's leading hospitality and culinary arts colleges and universities. According to Chef Guy Fieri, this program helps students learn about food which can benefit them in both their career and their life as a consumer.

ProStart is a career and technical education program that unites the foodservice industry and the classroom to teach high school students culinary skills and restaurant management principles, as well as employability skills such as communication, teamwork, professionalism and time management.

According to Jerry Libbin, President and CEO of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Miami-Dade County Public School Administration has committed to fund all infrastructure improvements in the selected classroom if the Miami Beach Chamber Education Foundation and partners will fund the class equipment. The Miami Beach Chamber’s Education Foundation has indicated its commitment to raising the necessary funds to purchase first class equipment and all new supplies for the program. Jerry Libbin indicated in a letter to Mayor Gelber that estimates a total of $500,000 needed for class equipment of which the Miami Beach Chamber has verbal commitments for $335,000.