Students from Nile C Kinnick High School’s Culinary Arts Team won first place at the Culinary Arts Far East Festival held on February 5 at Yokota Air Base.
The Culinary Arts team was coached by Charlotte Chandler, longtime culinary arts teacher at Kinnick. The team won their first place medals with a menu that included the following: Tuna Tataki, a seared tuna coated in white and black sesame seeds with fresh cucumbers and a tangy ponzu sauce; Japanese Garlic-Miso Steak served on a bed of dashi sesame spinach with a side of pickled carrots, garlic pilaf and lotus root chips; and Layered Crepe Cake, filled with a light whipped cream, hazelnut chocolate, and slivered almonds, topped with a tart raspberry sauce.
When asked about this year’s team, Chandler stated, “I am so proud of the team because they work very well together and help each other when needed. They came up with the dishes and have worked hard practicing the past few months. They wanted to win and make their families proud. Two of the members’ fathers are in the culinary field so it is in their blood. They worked with a smile on their faces!”
The next step for Kinnick’s award winning culinary chefs is the ProStart Nationals Competition. This year, it is to be held in Anaheim, CA on the 17-20 of April 2015. All of the first place winners from 43 states, Guam, DoDEA Europe & DoDEA Pacific will compete. Teams are judged on Safety, Sanitation, and Knife Skills. Competitors will prepare a 3-course Menu in 60 minutes w/ only two burners- nothing electrical. Participants must also clean up and prepare a book with pictures of each dish, recipes and cost calculations.
