The Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation is proud to award the 2024 ProStart Mentor of the Year to Josh Brown, Bacio. In his 25-year-long career at D’Amico Catering and now as executive chef at Bacio, Josh has devoted a great deal of time to helping students find their passion within the hospitality industry.

Josh has spent countless hours giving back. This year he mentored five high school culinary teams for the Stars of the Future fundraiser, providing culinary advice and in-person and Zoom demonstrations. He was also the competition mentor for Shakopee High School, which competed for the first time this year in the Minnesota ProStart Invitational competition. With his direction and leadership, they won first place and went on to the national competition in Baltimore!

During his time at D’Amico Partners & Catering, Josh worked in many of their kitchens including Masa, Campiello, and the Walker Art Center’s Gather. He developed a team of talented chefs and sous chefs and is connected to many of the Twin Cities’ most notable chefs. “Josh is a culinary leader”, says D’Amico Catering Director of Operations, Cathy Bovard. “Josh’s approachability, easy laugh and humble demeanor make him an effective leader. He has a servant’s heart and teaching is a passion that really shows through in his work with ProStart." 

Josh has a true passion for ProStart and its students. Victoria Marley, Manager of Programs & Partnerships for the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation says, “We are so thankful for Josh’s ability to motivate and inspire students, and we truly appreciate his willingness to do so.”