The Annual FHSD Iron Chef/Culinary Throw-Down

Posted on 11/26/2019
FHHS students prepare their meal for the competition


FHSD high schools have the opportunity to compete against each other in a variety of contests throughout the year. In a tasty twist, FHHS, FHC, FHN, and FHU recently took the competition to the kitchen by participating in the FHSD Iron Chef/Culinary Throw-Down.

FHC serves meal to guestsThe annual event provides students with an opportunity to practice their cooking skills in a real-world setting. Each team is given an hour to prepare a meal that will feed over 100 guests and impress the celebrity chef judges. “I think if they are going to seriously consider a culinary career or a career in the restaurant business, this is a really great foundation for them,” said Carl McConnell, a celebrity judge and owner/executive chef at Stone Soup Cottage in Cottleville. “They have to deal with a lot of pressure and timelines.”

With the clock ticking, students put their time management skills to the test. “I really had to pace myself and think through which part needed to be done at a certain time,” said FHN senior Cami Gonzalez.

The competition was intense, but it was also friendly. The schools helped each other out as they shared kitchen tools and equipment. “This experience has taught me about teamwork, not just with my own group, but also with others,” shared FHC senior Marie Cook. “There were points where I was helping out North and they were helping me out because the burner wasn’t working.”

FHU holds first place trophySodexo, the District’s food service provider, sponsored the event and generously donated the food used by each school. Sodexo District Chef Karin Mann shared how the throw-down is a great way for the students to gain more exposure to the culinary arts. “Kids at this age may not really know what they want to do. This gives them an opportunity to dabble in the culinary world and also meet professional chefs.”

After a close competition, FHU took home the first-place prize, as well as the chef’s choice award. All of the students, however, took home important lessons and skills that they can utilize no matter where they go in life!

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