Goose Creek CISD’s Stuart Career Tech High School partnered with La Porte’s Ed’s Bistro for the first-ever Ed’s Bistro Culinary Cook-Off.
This exciting event gave senior Culinary Arts Academy students a chance to showcase their skills in a fast-paced, professional-style cooking competition modeled after the TV show Chopped. Three student teams competed in a three-round elimination challenge. In each round, they used mystery ingredient baskets to create an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. After every round, judges eliminated one team. In the final round, the remaining three students competed individually to win the championship title.
The cook-off showed how the district supports each other as the Goose Creek community was involved in every step. The judging panel featured a group of industry professionals and GCCISD alumni. Meanwhile, Junior Culinary Arts students contributed behind the scenes by preparing appetizers for guests and resetting the kitchen between rounds. Additionally, students from the Digital Communications Academy recorded the event. Their footage will be released as a cooking competition episode on the CTEinAction YouTube channel.
In the end, Makenzie Morehead earned the title of Culinary Champion. Brinlee Sonntag placed second, followed by Layla McCarty in third. Each winner received high-quality cookware donated by Family First ER. Sterling High School’s Construction class also created custom-engraved cutting boards as special prizes. Overall, the Ed’s Bistro Culinary Cook-Off was a valuable opportunity for students to engage with industry professionals, gain hands-on experience, and demonstrate the strength of Goose Creek CISD’s Career and Technical Education programs.
Sources: Goose Creek ISD Facebook, Stuart Career Tech High School Facebook, Goose Creek CISD News
Blog by: Abby Zerger, Intern, UT Austin
