The North Carolina ProStart Invitational (NCPI) is an annual event that highlights the creative abilities of ProStart program students from across the state. North Carolina ProStart schools are invited to bring two teams—culinary and/or restaurant management—with up to five students per team. During the culinary competition, student competitors prepare a three-course meal in 60 minutes and are evaluated on taste, skill, teamwork, safety and sanitation. In the management category, teams develop and present a proposal for the next promising restaurant concept. Students must communicate their entrepreneurial ideas clearly and use their problem-solving skills to solve challenges faced by managers daily. The top-placing teams in the culinary and restaurant management competitions move forward to the national competition in May.