Photo By Stephanie Santos | Local High School students from El Paso's Independent School District compete in the...... read more read more
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Serious faces and precise, defined motions depicted the tone for local high school students as they competed in the annual El Paso Independent School District’s Culinary Arts Competition Feb 13 on Fort Bliss.
More than 50 participants, ranging from sophomores to seniors were challenged in three categories: baking, cooking and fine dining.
Hosted in the installation’s Culinary Arts Building, participants showed off their skills in an industry-sized kitchen for the three-day event. Judges included military food services personnel, civilians, military chefs, contractors and local restaurant employees.
“Students are judged on their cuts, cooking, cleaning practices and presentation skills,” said Sgt. Danielle Marquez, who has been a military chef for the past six years, and was selected as one of the judges for the event. In the past, Marquez has competed in military culinary competitions and added that it “felt good to be on the other side of the table.”
The military chef slowly walked around each cooking station and took copious notes while students made entrées such as poached salmon with sauce and sautéed tomatoes, croutons, soup and salad during the four-hour challenge.
Students competing in the baking category were moving quickly throughout the kitchen area as their challenge included making pastries, baking pie crusts, breads, and muffins, as well as decorating cakes.
Culinary Arts teacher Christopher Puga judged the students’ baking abilities, and emphasized that the competition is an overall, positive experience.
“This is good for the students, this is their field. People will criticize them, but we can share our knowledge and lead them in the right direction,” he said.
Fine Dining judge Rebekah Dudley echoed Puga’s sentiments as she critiqued students on napkin folding, table setting and cleanliness.
“I enjoy watching the students learn how to excel under pressure, said Dudley. “They quickly overcome their first-time jitters and focus on hosting, and customer service.
In order to compete in this regional competition, students had to first compete in their respective high schools. The overall winners move on to represent the state in Corpus Christi, TX.
| Date Taken: | 02.13.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2019 18:54 |
| Story ID: | 311134 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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