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West Virginia HEAT Announces “Friend of ProStart” Recipient |
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04/01/2009 |
Charleston, WV – The West Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Hospitality Education and Training (WV HEAT) announced today that Duane Legg has been named as the recipient of the “Friend of ProStart” award. The award is given to a public or industry individual who promotes the ProStart program’s educational initiatives. Chef Legg, Executive Chef with US Foods of Hurricane, West Virginia, has initiated several events that showcase ProStart students.
Chef Legg’s work with ProStart began as the chef mentor for the St. Albans High School team for the WV HEAT sponsored Hospitality Cup. That participation resulted in his leading two teams to national competition. It was on one of these national trips that Legg conceived of an event that would engage many more students with the hospitality industry. That opportunity became the first ProStart Culinary Day in which more than 400 ProStart students participated. Since that time, the event has grown to an attendance of more than 400 and has reached a record of over 500 in last year’s Culinary Day in two locations. In extending the award, Donna Wilkes, ProStart Coordinator for WV HEAT, stated that because of his commitment to ProStart, thousands of students have engaged with West Virginia’s hospitality industry over the years.
Most currently, in conjunction with the 21st Collaborative for Appalachian Cuisine’s Cast Iron Cook –Off, Legg organized the “ProStart Day at the Mall” held at Charleston Town Center. Five ProStart teams from programs state wide worked together to produce the menu developed by Chef Legg for the event. The students demonstrated their culinary skills and then provided the food, sponsored by US Foods, to the public.
To learn more about WV HEAT or the ProStart program, please call 304-558-6321.
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