Future top chefs: ; Culinary programs now more popular in W.Va.

Santanah Gardner, 16, plans one day to open her own seafoodrestaurant in Florida. Jeffrey Kersey, 17, aspires to be TV's nextTop Chef.

The two high school juniors are working toward their dreams inthe ProStart program at Riverside High School.

Gardner, Kersey and 15 other students are learning how to controlportions, how to follow a recipe, how to measure and how to performmany other tasks involved in the culinary arts.

"I love to cook, and this class has given me a lot ofconfidence," Kersey said.

Donna Wilkes, ProStart coordinator for the West Virginia Officeof Hospitality and Education, said the national program offers 56ProStart 1 and ProStart 2 …