DHS Culinary Arts students compete at Disney World
By Meadow Hurd
The Dalhart Texan
Dalhart High School’s Culinary Arts program returned from its big trip to Disney World on Tuesday April 25, after leaving on Friday April 21. On their trip, they participated in an international cooking competition called Cook Around the World. The competition is held annually, however, this is the first year Dalhart students have competed. Not only did they get to have a brand-new experience with competitive cooking, they also got to have an experience at Disney World, which for most students was their first.
“The competition was pretty fun,” said www.3bfarm Canton Forry, a senior who went on the trip. “At first they read us all of the rules. There was a 90-minute time limit. Before the timer started the teams got different regions from around the world. There was a table with random ingredients that we had to use and a different table with basic ingredients like salt and pepper. The timer started and we had to cook and once it was up different judges would taste the food and decide who was the best.” These students had never before had to use random ingredients or have to do improv cooking. One of the only things differentiating the competition from the ones that most people have seen on television is the fact that this was not televised.
The competition was hosted by Celebrity Chef Anne Burrell who is known for hosting quite a few shows based on competitive cooking, the most popular being “Worst Cooks in America.” Despite her celebrity status and the very title of her most popular series, students said that she was very kind and patient with the students.
“She was so great, so sweet, and so humble,” said Vianney Rodriguez, another senior who went on the trip. “You could tell she really had an interest for the event and her speech was so heartfelt.” When asked, every student agreed that she did not have the stereotypical celebrity persona and was so happy to be there. Burrell explained the rules to the students and helped them throughout the competition.
In the competition, Dalhart students were split into two teams. One of these teams was called Europe 6. This team consisted of Oscar Dominguez, Joseline Alvarez, Jennifer Montes, Vianney Rodriguez, Chaleghia Pedraza, Kassie Welch, Sherlynn Herrera, Nayeli Hernandez, and Kadance DeMots. They were rewarded with the only teamwork award given.
North America 6, the other Dalhart team, consisted of Canton Forry, Erik Frantz, Ayush Sukha, Corbin Carnesecca, Alfred Rodriguez, Aiden Marquez, Reese Wieck, Jolie Bowers, and Emily Reynolds.
Out of these students, nine of them are in their senior year. Among them is Oscar Dominguez. “The best part was the experience,” Dominguez said. “As a senior, this is one of the best moments in my time in Dalhart High School.”
At the heart of the Culinary Arts program is Mrs. Stephanie Ellis. This year was her eighth year running this program. While on the surface it may seem like these kids got handed a trip to Disney World and an amazing opportunity to compete, everyone had to put in some work. Ellis and her students held many fundraisers reach their goal.
“The goal was huge and our time frame was short,” Ellis said. “I had anticipated meeting a part of the goal but my expectations were blown away!” The program earned more than 100% of their goal of $36,000. They even ended up surpassing this goal and ended up with approximately $40,000 raised. These fundraisers included lots of planning, organization, and hard work.
Ellis has no doubt that her students deserved this. She would have her kids cook with mystery baskets she put together in class to try and prepare them for this. She explained that each student pulled their weight during preparation and fundraising.
“They walked in and acted like they had been there before,” Ellis said. “The determination and smiles on their faces that day were priceless.” When asked, many students and Ellis agreed that this expanded everyone’s horizons, especially socially. At the competition and at Disney World, they spent time meeting other students and competitors. But, the most emphasis was put on the new relationships the students made with their classmates. They all got to meet each other in a new way and with other people and it was like meeting brand new people.
Students, teachers, and parents alike all acknowledge the number one factor in getting this group to Florida: the community. When any students have an opportunity, especially one like this, in front of them, the community never fails. Businesses from all over Dalhart came together to get this group of kids what they needed. Whether that was supplies or food for a fundraiser they were hosting, or even the generous donation of The Dust Bowl Bar & Grill’s dining room for a Sunday dinner, the community was supporting them. The best cooks in Dalhart gave the students tips and tricks, parents helped out with fundraising, and the Culinary Arts students gave it their all to get to Florida.
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