Students from Liberty and Memorial competed in the first annual Iron Chef competition to show off their culinary skills on Thursday, March 10th. The Liberty team won, taking home a garnishing kit in addition to the trophy.
The contest was based on the Food Network show, Iron Chef, in which teams have to create three dishes involving one special ingredient in a limited amount of time. In this case, students had to make an appetizer, main course, and dessert all involving apples. They made apple bruschetta, red snapper with apple slaw, and apple walnut gorgonzola turnovers.
Seniors Shannon Sickles, Justine Smahaj, Michelle Strachan, and Ricardo Robert; junior Christa Castro; and sophomores Melissa Robertson and Erin Menchon made up the team.
Mrs. Buchanan, Liberty’s Foods teacher and coach, trained her students by having them practice the dishes during the week. Since time was a factor in completing each dish, they needed to learn how to work quickly.
Mrs. Buchanan said, “The team picked great recipes and worked together to make them taste great. They should be proud to be the first Iron Chef winning team.”
Serving as judges were the Jackson School District’s food service director, superintendent, and board presidents. The judged the dishes on their taste, creativity, neatness, and presentation.