Student chefs at Brookwood Elementary faced off in a sizzling showstopper for a culinary crown.
A group of fifth graders put their cooking skills to the test in the first ever “CHOPPED” competition. The young chefs worked in pairs to create delicious dishes for a panel of judges, who then selected the winning team.
Cafeteria Manager Nancy Ruland started an after-school cooking club last year. It was so popular, this year she has two clubs.
“I thought to myself, ‘What if I took some kids from both classes and had them compete,’ ” Ruland said. While doing some research online, she found the Chef Ann Foundation, which promotes whole-ingredient, scratch-cooking in schools.
The Brookwood students worked hard practicing their recipes and enjoyed the competition. The winners received an ice cream treat and the opportunity for their recipe to be added to the school lunch menu.
“It was so much fun working with them,” Ruland said. “The outcome was so positive.”