On your mark, get set… Bake! As the competition began for ABC’s second annual Cookie Throw Down, six crews battled it out for the best chocolate chip cookie recipe. Five student teams and one staff team competed. Each group had their own secret unique recipe, and four judges considered the best cookie, and then awarded the top team with a secret prize.

             Each team had to consist of three people, and had to come up with their own chocolate chip cookie recipe. Each group had their own special names: the Cookie Monsters, Fierce Pinks, Cookie-nators, Dough Boys & Fresh, Cookie Freaks, and the staff team OGHS Chips.

            Because the Cookie Throw Down is a part of the ABC after school program, it was assured that the media would show up to cover the big event. The North County Times sent two reporters to cover the competition and who were lucky enough to taste each group’s cookies.

            Culinary arts teacher Kristi Farrington actually had come up with the idea of the competition. She said, “Mrs. Umbro and I just wanted something fun to do for the students, and I love cookies and Bobby Flay’s throw downs just came into part.” Last year’s winner Liz Gagliano, had won with a white chocolate chip coconut cookies. Was invited to come back and judge this year’s throw down. Farrington also asked Assistant Principle Penny Parker, Social Science teacher Mike Sovacool, and senior Sonia Mendoza to judge the event.

            As the competition was set off, all the teams had exactly one hour to prepare and bake their cookies. As three of the teams went for the traditional baking style, two of the other teams went for the frying pans.  One team deep fried their cookies, and the other team, Dough boys & Fresh, sizzled some bacon for their main ingredient.

 Javier Brambila said, “I liked the recipe it was cool because it was unique also because I love bacon.”  

 As the time came to an end and the cookies were judged, they announced the winning recipe. The winner was the Cookie-nators group that won with the white chocolate-macadamia nut cookies that were drizzled with caramel sauce. The

 Cookie-nators won the prize of cooking utensils and other baking supplies, and also the title of 2010 Cookie Throw Down champions.  Although there is only one winner, no team left the event empty handed. Every team who competed got a free “Cookie Throw Down” apron that has a picture of a chef-themed grumpy. So if you think your chips don’t stink, get your self ready for next year’s contest because the competition is always hot when you’re in the kitchen. Every school has traditions and with the help of the ABC program. The Cookie Throw Down is becoming one of Orange Glen’s.

Farrington had said, “I hope this competition will continue to become a tradition, as long as the students want to do it, then we’ll always have it.”