By Madie Murray
On Saturday, April 6, one of the most exciting and fun events will occur at our public school. Students are warming up their ovens and the stage is set for the Fourth Annual Student Chef Competition presented by the Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria Program with K-5 students starting at 9:30 a.m. and 6-12 students starting at noon in the Home Ec room behind the school cafeteria.
Entries chosen had to meet certain criteria: This year it had to be a Mexican recipe, include at least 3 items grown or raised locally, look inviting, taste good, have nutritional value and be prepared with reasonable effort for potentially up to 250 people in the school cafeteria.
Last year’s winner, Denis Riordan, defends his title this year with his recipe for Chili and Lime Steak Tacos and all the fixin’s
Cooking in the morning will be: Jefferson Freeman and Sam Sutton, First Grade, preparing Mexican Egg Cups; Kashi Campbell, First Grade, making Chilaquiles; TJ Liblik & Nisha Woolworth, Second Grade, preparing Picadillo; Ricky Hughes and Ingrid Hanson, Third Grade, preparing Quinoa Taco Salad; Evan King, Third Grade making Mexican Meatballs; and Zora Leck, Fourth Grade and Arla Sutton, Fifth Grade preparing A to Z Carnitas
Those competing in the afternoon will be: Tori Sturk, Seventh Grade, making Chicken Enchiladas; Lexi Pence, Seventh Grade, preparing Roast Beef Burritos; Jacqueline Figueroa, Eighth Grade, creating Chili Rellenos; Denis Riordan, Eleventh Grade cooking up Deluxe Chile & Lime Steak Tacos with Black Bean Tomatillo Salsa Dip; and Caitlyn Holley, Eleventh Grade, preparing Homemade Empanadas and Refried Beans
Awards will be presented around 11 a.m. for the morning contestants and around 2:00 p.m. for the afternoon contestants.
The judges also look for the attention to neatness and cleanliness during the competition
We wish to thank our wonderful community sponsors for supporting this wonderful event: Rose’s Bakery Cafe, Orcas Village Store, Mijita’s, and the Orcas Hotel.
Judging this year will be Raul Ruis, Lance Evans, Martha Farish, Tony Ghazel, Butch Reifert and Charles Dalton. Chef Zach Holley will again be our official Student Chef Coach, and our stellar Master of Ceremonies for the entire event will again be Kyle Freeman.
Everyone is welcome to come watch all during the day, cheer your favorite budding chef to victory and have the opportunity to taste each wonderful recipe after it has been presented and judged. Admission is free.
Then come to the Taco Feast being served in the school cafeteria immediately following the Competition from 4 to 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Tickets are just $10 and may be purchased from the Elementary School Office, High School Office and the Chamber of Commerce.
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