Master Chef Competition

Happy New Year.  It’s the beginning of 2016 and we’re back to school after a wonderful two-week Christmas vacation.  No time to dilly dally (really Grandma?).  We have a busy full week.  We welcome the year with Master Chef Week at my school.  Held to showcase the culinary skills of our students, this whole week event culminates in the Master Chef competition.  Six finalists from every grade level and of various abilities and exceptionalities (academic, spec. ed, ASD) will battle it out for gold and a chance to represent our school in the Niagara College High School Cook-off in February. 

Never discount the Niners.  Our first Master Chef competition last year was won by a Grade 9 student, overcoming a learning disability and the case of nervous hand tremors to beat out 5 other senior competitors.  He was still beaming the next day, recounting stories of him being stopped in the halls and congratulated by students he never knew (the competition was streamed into every classroom TV), like the quarterback of the high school football team scoring the winning touchdown.  It’s always nice when “others” get a moment in the spotlight.  It was a really a “Rudy” (it’s a movie; look it up) moment. 

We’ll see who takes the gold medal this year.  But no matter what, these brave teens are already winners for taking on the challenge.  Here are some pics of last year’s competition.  If you care to know more about the dishes and recipes, give me a shout.