Local students cook up competition at Iron Chef event

(November 20, 2012) Prepping for their futures, Garland High School culinary arts students recently competed in the third-annual Iron Chef: North Texas event at The Art Institute of Dallas.

A “high school take on the popular Iron Chef: America” concept, the culinary showdown is unlike any other in the area.

Teams from Allen, Duncanville, Garland, Plano East, Richardson, Rockwall, and Trimble Technical High Schools—as well as Ben Barber, Hollenstein, and Jack E. Singley Academies—competed to see whose “cuisine reigned supreme” among the judges, who were local restaurateurs, chefs, and influential members of the Dallas/Fort Worth community.

Following the same basic structure as its Food Network counterpart, Iron Chef: North Texas required each team to cook and present an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert within a 1:45 time limit. Each dish also had to contain apples—the Fall 2012 secret ingredient revealed the day of the competition. GHS rose to the challenge, preparing squash apple soup, apple-glazed chicken with orzo and asparagus, and an apple-filled puff pastry.

“It was a good experience for us since it was Garland’s first time to compete,” said team captain Alejandro Ochoa. “Next time we will make a few changes and come out winning.”

Once the judges were all served and their scores were tallied, Richardson High School was named the Iron Chef: North Texas Fall 2012 winner, receiving a traveling plaque and trophy along with admission to the Art Institute of Dallas’ 2013 Teen Summer Studio Workshop. Ben Barber Career and Technology Academy students also received knife bags donated by Garland ISD as the Best Appetizer winner. Rockwall High School was named the Best Entrée winner, receiving knives donated by Dexter-Russell. And, Hollenstein Career and Technology Academy students were awarded gift certificates donated by Ben E. Keith as the Best Dessert winner.

But every team can be called a winner because of its participation. GHS competitors Alejandro Ochoa, Diana Arzola, Luis Castrejon, and Samuel Guzman each received an apron, a medal, and a swagbag containing goodies from several local vendors. Also, more important than the prizes were the valuable experience and advice from the judges that students received.

  culinary, Garland ISD, Iron Chef, North Texas, Richardson, Rockwall, studentsAllen