Culinary Arts heats up the competition

The Gloucester High School  honors Culinary Arts program worked hard for two weeks practicing dishes for the Culinary Arts Competition at Salem High School, on April 6th.

The competition took place on April 6th. Three teams of seven students, including competitors from our neighbors Peabody, and Salem.

“It was really great learning to work as a team and really showed what each of us has to offer,” said culinary student Brittany Williams.

Each team was to make an appetizer, a quick bread and salad, an entree, a starch, vegetable, and a dessert.

With limited amount of shared kitchen space, and only three hours of prep time, each team prepared a meal and set a table spread for two guest judges . Ingredients were limited to a specific list, ensuring fairness.

“We’ve been doing  this competition for five  years” said Chef Patrick Reardon the GHS culinary teacher.

Though Gloucester did place 3rd, our students who represented Gloucester had great attitudes throughout the competition and were grateful just for the experience.

The menu opened with buttery homemade biscuits, along with a mixed green salad with french dressing. For an appetizer Gloucester served pork dumplings with a sweet and salty soy sauce.

For the entree our students served up seared chicken breast stuffed with cheese and broccoli drizzled with a tarragon served along creamed spinach and a side of  red skinned potatoes served with sour cream and bacon.

To sweeten up the judges, student made berry compote topped with candied citrus rind a dollop of whipped cream for dessert.

“It’s difficult for my students to compete with other vocational schools. Other schools have state of the art equipment while our students are using basic Home Ec. equipment,” said Reardon.

In 2009 and 2012, when the competitions were held at North Shore Community College, the GHS students came in first place.  In 2010, 2011, and 2014, the students have come in second.

Even though they didn’t take home a first place trophy this time, the students got a chance to grow as a team and bond on a different level outside of school.

Chef is always looking for more students that are interested in culinary arts  and hopefully bring home first place next year.