There was something fierce cooking in York High School Thursday night as 10 elementary school finalists tried to out-spice and dice one another in a division-wide competition.
Students from second grade to fifth grade battled over texture and flavor to win the favor of five judges from the culinary community in the fourth annual York County School Division “Future Chefs” competition.
Mason Gay, a fifth grader from Grafton Bethel Elementary, took home first place and a chance to win prizes as part of a national competition sponsored by Sodexo, a provider of food service to county schools.
Superintendent Victor Shandor, who served as a judge Thursday, said his favorite part of the competition is speaking with kids about cooking and seeing just what they can concoct in the kitchen.
“It’s my third year as a judge,” he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for our kids to not only be creative, but also explore talents outside the classroom.”
Students created dishes as diverse as beef and potato pie to lentil stroganoff, but it was Gay’s “Triple M Mason’s Macaroni Muffins” that won over the judges.
Chef Manager of the County Grill & Smokehouse in Yorktown and judge Danny Klubowicz said he was surprised by how healthy the food was.
“I think the big thing is today’s children make comfort food different,” Klubowicz said. “To come up with some of these ideas, and the effort they put into it, you’ve got to support them no matter what.”
Klubowicz said the turkey bacon twist and presentation of Gay’s “Triple M’s” won him over, and he said he hoped the participants would keep with cooking.
The junior chefs said they were inspired by their parents, culinary shows and magazines, and some said they look forward to doing it professionally.
Mark Medford, a judge and vice chair of York County school board, said he thought the event could inspire students to study the culinary arts.
“It could be the spark to lead them to a career,” Medford said.
