DoDEA Pacific hosts Far East Culinary Arts Competition
YOKOTA AIR BASE – Scrumptious smells and sizzling sounds filled the Yokota Officers Club February 12-13, as Culinary Arts students representing 11 DoDEA Pacific High Schools joined together to compete in Far East Culinary Arts.
Star of Food Network’s “The Fixer with Chef Tino,” Chef Celestino “Tino” Feliciano Rivera offered words of encouragement and tips to students during opening remarks, joining the event live virtually.
“In the competition you might get lost of who you are,” Chef Tino said. “My only advice for you – throughout the competition, especially when you open that mystery box, don’t get lost in who you are. Remember who you are. Remember where you are going. Remember what you like, what you don’t like. Don’t try to cook for the judges … try to cook for yourself. Be true to yourself. If you are true to yourself, it is going to come out in your food.”
In partnership with AAFES, this year’s event featured a special mystery basket workshop, which placed student chefs on teams with peers and teachers from other participating schools. AAFES provided two mystery ingredients – fried rice and noodles – which students incorporated into two unique, flavorful dishes.
“The mystery basket workshop encouraged students and teachers to collaborate with each other in a fun, exciting way,” said Mr. Blake Sims, DoDEA Pacific Far East Academics Coordinator.
Taking home the awards for Crowd Favorite, Best Presentation, and Best Overall dish for the noodle basket was Chef McWilliams’ team. The Crowd Favorite award for the rice mystery basket went to Chef Stewart’s team, with Chef Farris’ team earning the Best Presentation Award and Chef Selby’s team named Best Overall dish.
During the next phase of competition, teams of five student chefs represented their school, showcasing their culinary knowledge, skills, and creativity by preparing a unique three-course meal. Students embraced this year’s European theme, “Pastalicious,” serving a starter, entrée, and dessert.
M.C. Perry secured first place in this year’s competition, followed by Nile C. Kinnick High School in second, and E.J. King earning third.
The competition was judged by foodservice industry professionals and representatives from post-secondary schools.
