Baldwin Preparatory Academy is one of 48 high schools across the country selected to receive a $5,000 grant to expand culinary and restaurant experiences at the high school.

With the grant from The Rachael Ray Foundation and the ProStart career and technical education (CTE) program from National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), Baldwin Prep will be equipped with tools and school resources aimed at preparing students for future careers in the restaurant industry.

The $5,000 grant can be used to enhance classroom experience with new curriculum, supplies and equipment.

Veronica Monsegur, culinary arts instructor at Baldwin Prep, said the grant will be used to improve plating and presentation work, get more media equipment for recording competitions and grading students, upgrade kitchen tools and equipment in the student-run bistro.

Blaze Bistro is a hands-on classroom as students practice working in a restaurant's front-of-house and kitchen. Earlier this school year, the bistro officially opened to the public after last year only serving Baldwin Prep students.

Monsegur said this grant is a huge win for her students as it will allow them to work like industry professionals.

"This support helps my kids build confidence, grow their skills and experience what the foodservice and hospitality industry is really like," she said. "I'm truly grateful because it opens more opportunities for them."

According to a press release on the grant, the Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants represent an investment in the ProStart classroom experience, which fosters passion for the restaurant industry and skills for young people to pursue future careers once they leave high school.

The programs provide hands-on learning to students allowing them to graduate high school with applicable skills to work in a professional kitchen or advance to higher education.

"Teachers are essential to a successful ProStart classroom experience, instilling knowledge about the restaurant industry and the passion young people need to build a lifelong career in it," Michelle Korsmo, president & CEO of the National Restaurant Association and CEO of the NRAEF, said. "These grants are more than an investment in a culinary program – they equip teachers with what they need to spark creativity, confidence, and a desire to chase the opportunity that's abundant in our industry."

The press release states the foundation expects the grant program to benefit more than 4,800 students across 24 states. This represents the sixth year of financial support from The Rachael Ray Foundation to support high school students pursuing careers in the restaurant industry, with more than $1 million awarded through The Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow grant program to-date.

In addition to classroom grants, The Rachael Ray Foundation and the Yum-o! organization have sponsored more than 260 scholarships for students pursuing post-secondary degrees in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

"There's something truly magical about a ProStart classroom — it's where many kids discover their passion for food and start to see a future for themselves in this incredible industry," said Rachael Ray, founder of The Rachael Ray Foundation. "The Rachael Ray Foundation is proud to help educators fuel the ProStart spark to encourage more young people to pursue a career in restaurants and foodservice."

Also stated in the release, ProStart has equipped more than 222,000 students at 2,200 schools with the essentials of culinary arts and restaurant management through its two-year CTE program, found at a mix of public high schools and career technical education centers.

Students completing the program gain restaurant-specific certifications, over 400 hours of practical work experience and access to restaurant/hospitality apprenticeship and scholarship opportunities.