ROSE HILL — At Union High School, Julian Alvarado had fun making asparagus with Parmesan added for more flavor.

Along with his classmates from a morning class at the school, Alvarado made chicken piccata, served with Parmesan asparagus, crunchy roasted potatoes and a bacon blue cheese salad for a panel of judges in a nearby classroom. A strawberry creme crepe cake was the dessert. For the second year, Union High hosted its “Top Chef” competition. Alvarado was nervous since it was the first time someone actually tried his food. The side dish is one of many things he’s learning during the year.

“I think it’s a learning experience about being in the kitchen, learning what to do and learning not do to the wrong things,” Alvarado said.

The Foods II students competed with the evening class that made grilled trout with avocados, mango and tomato salsa for the main dish. It was served with asparagus with balsamic tomatoes topped with goat cheese, and roasted garlic red skin potatoes. Apple autumn cheesecake was the dessert.

Betsey Lane, organizer and Family and Consumer Sciences educator, said the students were excited about the competition at the beginning of the school year. Two more competitions are scheduled for the 2019-2020 school year.

“They love the competition between the two classes and they keep their recipes a secret,” Lane said. “It’s kind of a pride thing for them. They plated something so beautiful without any adult supervision or help. They really like that.”

The evening class won the contest. For having the best meal, they will go to Alfredo’s in Clinton for a tour of the restaurant and enjoy a meal. Lane said it’s a good way for the students to experience things they never had before such as bruschetta, toasted ravioli or a cheesecake made from a recipe from Italy.

Lane added that classes such as Foods II comes with a lot of benefits when it comes to nutrition and trying new things.

“I think it shows them that they don’t have to eat fast food all the time,” Lane said. “They can cook their own meals and they can cook it pretty cheap. It can be homemade and something they can get at a restaurant.

“Chicken piccata is served on a lot of Italian restaurant menus,” Lane added.”They can actually do that themselves. They don’t have to pay someone else to do it. It’s a lifelong lesson.”

Maria Jimenez, a junior in the morning class, admitted that she was a little nervous about the presentation, but the meal was still enjoyed by the judges. During the competition and throughout the year, she enjoys cooking with her classmates.

“You have to actually work with people and it’s something you’re going to have to do in the real world,” Jimenez said about collaborating with others.

The judges told the students what they enjoyed about the meal such as texture and taste. They also offered constructive criticism such as not using too much raw onions or a lot of dressing on the salad. The judges for the 2019 were Dr. Theresa Melenas, principal of Union middle School; Ginger Stone, director of Career and Technical Education for Sampson County Schools (SCS); Charlotte Murphy, community member; Jacqueline Chabot, SCS executive administrative assistant; and Brad Bass, educator. Melenas enjoyed judging for the second year and said the students were more comfortable than last year.

“I can’t wait for next year,” Melenas said. “I think they’ve done a great job.”

At Union High School, students present dishes to a panel of judges from Sampson County Schools.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_Chef_1.jpgAt Union High School, students present dishes to a panel of judges from Sampson County Schools.

The Top Chef competition is a popular event at Union High School.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_Chef_3.jpgThe Top Chef competition is a popular event at Union High School.

Julian Alvarado and Maria Jimenez serve judges during the competition.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_Chef_4.jpgJulian Alvarado and Maria Jimenez serve judges during the competition.

Employees from Sampson County School enjoy a meal prepared by students.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_Chef_2.jpgEmployees from Sampson County School enjoy a meal prepared by students.

Students receive feedback about the meal they cooked.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_Chef_5.jpgStudents receive feedback about the meal they cooked.
Culinary competition teaches students life skills

By Chase Jordan

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Reach Chase Jordan at 910-249-4617. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.