Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation (HMEF) is thrilled to recognize Brent Preppernau as the 2026 ProStart Mentor of the Year for his outstanding contributions to the next generation of culinary professionals.

About Brent: 

Brent has been a mentor at Rogers since the 2019–2020 school year and has made a lasting impact on our students. He is patient, kind, generous, and deeply knowledgeable. Brent gives countless hours helping students build culinary and teamwork skills while modeling integrity, humility, and care for others. He teaches students that success is measured by growth, effort, and experience, not just results.

Brent is a true mentor in every sense of the word. While he serves as the chef mentor for Rogers High School, he also offers guidance and encouragement to students on the Zimmerman culinary team. Through his calm demeanor and steady leadership, Brent creates an environment where students feel respected, motivated, and capable of achieving more than they thought possible.

Join the Celebration: We invite you to honor Brent at the 2026 Scholarship Breakfast on May 5 at The Beach Club in Minneapolis.