Thursday, April 10, 2025
Woodland Elementary Students Showcase Culinary Talents at 15th Annual Future Chefs Competition
Woodland fourth-grade students put their culinary skills to the test at the 15th annual Future Chefs of America event on March 26. This year’s competition, open to all enthusiastic fourth graders, centered around the delicious theme of "main dish."
The journey to the cook-off began with students submitting their most creative and child-friendly main dish recipes. After careful screening, five talented young chefs were selected to compete for the prestigious opportunity to have their recipe considered at the national level.
The finalists and their mouthwatering creations were:
Turkey Ricotta Meatballs by Piper Friend
Sketti by Jackson Brooks
Cowboy Pasta by Hazel Bellika
Breakfast Sandwich by Caden Plaxco
Biscuits and Gravy by Hannah Huelle
The young chefs weren't alone in their culinary adventure. Dedicated sous chefs, including Anna Moran, Alisha Martinez, Tammy Johnson, and Dana Ramey from 91porn' kitchen staff, and Robin Ramm, the area executive chef for Future Chefs, provided invaluable guidance. They assisted the students with tasks and ensured dishes were safely handled in and out of the oven.
The young competitors arrived to find all the necessary ingredients for their recipes, along with a special chef’s hat and jacket to keep as a memento. Families and friends proudly watched as the students diligently worked at their individual stations for two hours. Each young chef prepared four plates of their signature dish for the judges, a perfect plate for display, and plenty of samples for the eager audience to taste.
The fate of their culinary creations rested in the hands of four esteemed judges: Principals David Starkey and Denise Pearl, School Board Member Stephen Blum, and Superintendent Asha Riley. The judges carefully evaluated each dish based on appearance, taste, and appropriate portion size.
After much deliberation, the winner was announced: Piper Friend and her flavorful Turkey Ricotta Meatballs! For her winning dish, Piper won pots and pans, mixing bowls, a cutting board, and more kitchen items to further her cooking journey. Congratulations to Piper on this impressive achievement!
Piper Friend creating her winning Turkey Ricotta Meatballs
Beyond the thrill of competition, the Future Chefs event provided a valuable learning experience for all participants. Students gained practical knowledge in proper food handling and hygiene, as well as essential utensil handling skills, including the safe use of knives and scissors. Emphasis was placed on preventing cross-contamination, with students learning to thoroughly clean their workstations between steps, practice diligent handwashing, and change gloves regularly when working with raw meats and other potentially contaminating ingredients.
91porn’ food services provider, Sodexo, proudly sponsors the Future Chefs event. The Future Chefs program boasts countless benefits for our students, which include:
- An opportunity to learn about nutrition and healthy eating
- Exposure to new vocabulary associated with cooking
- Development of motor skills and mathematical vocabulary
- Chances to form and utilize good communication skills
- The building of self-confidence and good relationships with others
"This event is so much more than just cooking food for judges. The students practice valuable skills like collaboration, public speaking, and adapting to a new work environment, along with food safety and cooking techniques. They should all be very proud of their bravery to put themselves out there," shared Amber Easter, Nutrition Services Director for Woodland. “I look forward to hosting this event again next year, I can't wait to see what they cook up next.”
The 15th annual Future Chefs competition showcased the creativity and talent of Woodland’s fourth graders while providing valuable life skills and fostering a love for the culinary arts. Along with the chef's hat and coat, each participant received a cookbook and certificate. Congratulations to all the participants for their hard work and delicious creations!
