On October, 27th, Foodservice and Restaurant Consultant William H. Bender, FCSI will be presenting the California Restaurant Foundation's Force-In Training (FIT)™ Program to ProStart® students at North Salinas High School.
SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Foodservice and Restaurant Consultant William H. Bender, FCSI presented the California Restaurant Foundation's Force-In Training (FIT)™ Program to ProStart® students at North Salinas High School.
FIT™ Day is job readiness training and part of the ProStart® two-year high school curriculum for students that are enrolled in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Classes. Rosana Diaz is the Culinary Educator for seventy students at North Salinas High School.
This volunteer day was presented at 150 California high schools statewide, uniting chefs, industry executives and leaders, with over 3,000 aspiring students through a common passion for leadership and service. Volunteers presented skills training such as First Impressions, Handshakes, Personal Highlight Reels and Mock Interviewing Techniques, to the next generation of hospitality leaders.
William is an industry veteran, CRF board member emeritus, professional member of Foodservice Consultants Society International and founder of W.H. Bender & Associates. William said, "My high school foodservice Teacher in Rockville, Maryland, Mrs. Laurine Mennell was a fantastic mentor, so I'm thrilled to share my experience with these California ProStart Students."
The California Restaurant Foundation manages Restaurants Care® a food & beverage relief program, CRF Scholarship Program, and through ProStart® conducts a robust Culinary and Restaurant Management Competition, Career-Exploration, and Job Readiness Training with FIT™ Day.
Natalie Tong, CRF Director of Events said, "These programs bridge the gap between education and employment, and it really creates an economic mobility for thousands, and it helps build a pipeline of talent for our hospitality industry, for those students that want to get involved before getting a job or starting college".
"This has been an amazing industry event to build relationships with the talented leaders of tomorrow. The students we train have the passion to become future leaders in the restaurant industry and in the community. 78% of particpants and schools responded in polling, that it was the only job-readiness training they received," said Bender.
For more information, visit: https://calrestfoundation.org/fit/
Media Contact
William H. Bender, FCSI, W.H. Bender & Associates, 1 408-784-7371, [email protected], www.whbender.com
SOURCE WH Bender & Associates
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