Students Compete in Culinary Challenge

On Dec. 10, 220 students from local high schools and technical centers participated in the 5th Annual Central Florida High School Culinary Competition and Conference at the World Center Marriott. Hosted by Orange County Public Schools, along with industry and education partners, the students were able to show off the skills they are learning in their culinary classes.

There were 196 participants in the culinary competitions, which was separated into gourmet meal, dessert, edible centerpiece, waiters relay, egg flipping and decorate centerpiece categories. Another 24 students competed in the hospitality portion of the competition, consisting of a sales and marketing case study, a food and beverage case study, and a project presentation. There were more than 450 students in attendance, and those who weren’t participating in the competition had the opportunity to tour the hotel, watch chef demonstrations or be spectators for the competition. Attendees were also able to mingle with industry leaders including executive chefs from local hotels and representatives from Visit Orlando, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association among others.

Participating schools included Colonial High School, Cypress Creek High School, Evans High School, Freedom High School, Oak Ridge High School, Ocoee High School, University High School, Wekiva High School, Orlando Tech, Westside Tech, Gateway School and Mid Florida Tech.