CTE FOOD SPORT

District Launch Model (K–12 → Workforce)

1️⃣ DISTRICT VISION & POSITIONING

Official Definition

CTE Food Sport is a standards-aligned, project-based learning model that uses competitive cooking and food production to teach Career & Technical Education pathways including Culinary Arts, Agriculture, Food Science, Business, Fire Safety, and Skilled Trades.

Why Districts Launch It

• Increases student engagement and campus fundraising

• Strengthens CTE enrollment & retention

• Provides authentic workforce skills

• Builds community pride & visibility

• Aligns with Perkins V, TEKS, and accountability goals

2️⃣ PHASED DISTRICT ROLLOUT (LOW RISK → HIGH IMPACT)

PHASE 1: PILOT (Year 1 – Proof of Concept - NHSBBQ is currently has 7 State HSBBQ Championships and 100's of School Districts)

Goal: Test, train, and showcase success with minimal cost

Recommended Scope

• 1 Middle School (Live Fire Learning Lab Kits / potential MSBBQ team)

• 1 High School (Live Fire Learning Lab Kits / potential HSBBQ team)

• 1–2 teacher leaders ( Culinary arts, Food Science, Meat Science, STEM, Agriculture, Welding, Ag Mechanics, Business and Entrepreneurship, At-Risk, Middle School CTE).

Where It Lives

• Culinary Arts / Family Consumer Science / Foods 

• Agriculture / Food Science / Meat Science / Fire Science / Welding

• FCCLA / FFA / After-school program / CTSO's

• STEM (Chemistry, Physics,Biology, Applied Science, Environmental Science)

• Athletic Department ( Team building, fundraising)

What Students Do

• 3–5 Food Sport challenges

• One public showcase or cook-off

• Reflection + skills documentation

District Outcomes

• Measurable engagement

• Board-ready success story

• Parent & community buy-in

PHASE 2: EXPANSION (Year 2 – District Identity)

Goal: Establish Food Sport as a district CTE pathway

Expansion Actions

• Add 2–4 campuses

• Introduce district-wide Food Sport event

• Formalize curriculum alignment

Add Pathways

• Business & Entrepreneurship

• Welding / Trailer / Fabrication

• Marketing & Media

District Branding

• District Food Sport League

• District Championship Day

• Student leadership roles

PHASE 3: SUSTAINABILITY (Year 3+ – Legacy Program)

Goal: Make CTE Food Sport permanent & self-sustaining

Long-Term Actions

• Annual district championship

• Industry certifications & dual credit

• Regional / state competition pathway

• Sponsor & partner ecosystem

3️⃣ CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL

Instructional Structure

• Project-Based Learning (PBL) PROJECT BASTE LEARNING

• LIVE FIRE LEARNING LAB Curriculum built on F.I.R.E. D.N.A Framework

• Team-based roles (like athletics)

• Rubric-driven assessment

• Real-world constraints (time, cost, safety)

Core Learning Units

• Food safety & sanitation

• Knife skills & cooking methods

• Fire management & equipment

• Menu costing & profitability

• Presentation & communication

Assessment Model

• Skill performance

• Teamwork & leadership

• Documentation & reflection

• Standards-based rubrics (not taste alone)

4️⃣ STAFFING & ROLES (NO NEW HIRES REQUIRED)

Required Roles

Role	Who
Program Champion	CTE Director
Campus Coach	Culinary / Ag Teacher
Safety Officer	Existing admin / CTE
Community Liaison	Counselor or CTE lead

Each team or class can have one Adult Mentor to volunteer, support learning, or help teach the team and class such as local Pitmasters, Chefs, Competition Cooks, Dads, Staff,ect.

Student Roles (Leadership Built-In)

• Pitmaster / Lead Cook

• Food Safety Officer

• Logistics & Fire Manager

• Finance & Marketing Lead

5️⃣ FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT 

Minimum Launch Requirements ( 1st three years Chef Mike borrowed and had equipment donated by the community).

• Existing school kitchen or lab

• Outdoor space (grill-safe) - CTE parking, Band, Football or Athletic parking lots

• Portable grills or smokers

• Fire extinguishers & safety plan

Expansion Equipment (Year 2+)

• Competition trailer (Box trailer recommended for storage to create Mobile classroom, Concession Stand, and hold competition equipment.)

• Advanced smokers or grills

• Fabrication / welding projects ( Welding Department creates District pits or Ugly Drum Smokers as class project.)

• Branding & signage

Key Principle: Start where you are. Scale with success.

6️⃣ SAFETY, COMPLIANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT

Safety Protocols

• Fire safety training

• PPE requirements

• Adult supervision

• Food safety certifications (all students required to have Basic Food Safety class like THIS.

Administrative Confidence

• Written SOPs

• Emergency plans

• Insurance-friendly structure

• Aligns with existing CTE / CTSO safety frameworks

7️⃣ COMMUNITY, INDUSTRY & SPONSORSHIP

Local Partners

• Restaurants & caterers

• Fire departments

• Equipment suppliers

• Farms & ranchers

Benefits to Partners

• Workforce pipeline

• Brand visibility

• Community goodwill

• Student mentorship

8️⃣ EVENTS & SHOWCASE MODEL

District-Level Events

• Campus cook-offs (Host a Sanctioned State Qualifying Event as a fundraiser.)

• Community tastings

• Career nights

• Championship day

Why Events Matter

• Student motivation

• Parent buy-in

• Board visibility

• Sponsor activation

9️⃣ BUDGET SNAPSHOT (PILOT YEAR)

Category	Estimated Cost
Equipment	$3,000–$7,500
Training	$1,000–$2,500
Event Supplies	$1,000
Marketing & Branding	$500–$1,000

Many districts offset costs through CTE funds, grants, sponsors, and donations.

SUCCESS METRICS (WHAT BOARDS CARE ABOUT)

Student Metrics

• Enrollment growth

• Attendance & engagement

• Certifications earned

• Career clarity

District Metrics

• CTE completion rates

• Community engagement

• Positive media coverage

• Post-secondary placement

11️⃣ 90-DAY DISTRICT LAUNCH TIMELINE

Days 1–30

• Approvals & site selection

• Teacher training

• Safety planning

Days 31–60

• Student recruitment

• First Food Sport challenge

• Community partner outreach

Days 61–90

• Public showcase event

• Board presentation

• Expansion recommendation

CTE Food Sport transforms cooking into a structured, competitive, and career-aligned learning experience that builds skills, confidence, and community—preparing students for life, leadership, and the workforce.