Lane County High School Culinary Competition 2007

Future of the Food and Beverage Industry Honored

See more photos in the image gallery.

The Lane Education Service District announced the winners of the 5th Annual Lane County High School Culinary Competition May 7th at the Lane Community College Center for Meeting and Learning.

Twelve teams of high school students, working with local professional chefs, prepared and presented entrées featuring chicken breast and a dessert featuring honey. The chicken was donated by Tyson Foods, produce was donated by Organically Grown Company, and the honey was donated by GloryBee Foods. A team of 12 judges comprised of local celebrities and professionals in the culinary arts field rated each team in a variety of categories ranging from how they prepared the food to how it tasted. "It's great to have local product used in the competition!" states Mark Wreath, with the Lane ESD. "I am always amazed at how generous local companies are when it comes to product donations and sponsorship to help with the event." Event sponsors include GloryBee Foods, Market of Choice, and Comcast.

Each team had 60 minutes to prepare, cook, and serve three taste plates and one show plate. Teams were judged on sanitation, knife skills, teamwork, presentation, and most importantly taste!

Over 250 people were present for the awards banquet, with a menu prepared by current LCC students using the same main ingredients as the competition.

Before the day's top winners were announced, Wreath said, "If there is one thing I would like all you students to hear tonight, it is that you are all winners for taking this event on. I want you to feel honored for your dedication, commitment, and quality of your performance throughout this competition."

Overall Winners

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3rd Place
Thurston High School

Entrée: Roulade of chicken with risotto served with braised chard and fennel
Dessert: Florentina cup with Meyer lemon and honey curd 'mousse'

2nd Place
Pleasant Hill High School

Entrée: Spinach and goat cheese stuffed chicken with tangerine glaze, bright lights chard, lemon roasted potatoes, and asparagus
Dessert: Honey baked chocolate pear strudel

1st Place
Crow High School

Entrée: Sautéed chicken breast medallions
Fresh tender chicken breast layered with fresh Prosciutto, aged Asiago cheese, and fresh rosemary. Pan sautéed and placed in a pool of savory reduction sauce, nestled around a bed of fresh sautéed Crimini mushrooms. Accompanied with creamy russet and basil butter, stuffed sweet potato, and steamed broccoli florets.
Dessert: GloryBee Honey glazed poached pear
An elegant pear poached in a GloryBee Honey sauce, stuffed with creamy Grie cheese, topped with a touch of cinnamon, drizzled with honey glaze and garnished with fresh mint, strawberries, and a kiss of chocolate.

Category Winners

Best Teamwork
Churchill Alternative HS

Chef Coach: Melissa Williams/Adam's Place
Advisor: Lee Kounovsky
Members: Shawna Pierce, Yessenia Santos, Mireya Santos

Best Culinary Skills
Riverfront School

Chef Coach: Tracy McGeehan/Market of Choice
Advisor: Anita Sullivan
Members: Nick Ingram, Tifani Lauzon, Lewis Wallace-Ryan, Nocona Lockard

Best Safety and Sanitation
South Eugene High School

Chef Coach: Rocky Meseli/Marche
Advisor: Gregory Duncan
Members: Gordon Ellis, Nic Ihnat, Trevor Whitmore, Ellen Wolf

Best Appearance
Cottage Grove HS

Chef Coach: Scott Yeager/Village Green
Advisor: Sina Kiilsgaard
Members: Corey Daniel, Makija Davis, Mareike Mirsch, Jessica Perkins

Best Dessert
Crow HS

Chef Coach: Kathryn Reeves/Bier Stein
Advisor: Kathy Davis
Members: Ashley Parson, Kailee Ramp, Sammy Smets, Geena Zimmermann

Best Entrée
Thurston HS

Chef Coach: Doug Lang/University of Oregon
Advisor: Janet Palaiuk
Members: Caitlin Peterson, Alysha Bassett, Deran Isenhour, Melissa Young

Sponsors and Judges

Watch the 2007 sponsors video:

Event Sponsors
Lane ESD, GloryBee Foods, Comcast, Market of Choice, Tyson Foods, LCC Hospitality Programs

Team Sponsors
Eugene Hilton, Tyson Foods, Dari-Mart, Valley River Inn, Farwest Steel, Twin Rivers Plumbing, Food Services of America

Event Judges
LaDonna Carlile (GloryBee Foods), Keith Ellis (Cooks, Pots and Tabletops), Bonnie Willis (Market of Choice), Adam Bernstein (Adam's Place/Luna), Cameron Steen (Tyson Foods), Kerri Stewart (KEZI News), Tracy Berry (New Country 93.3), Paula Westgate (LCC), Duane Partain (LCC), Lynn Nakamura (LCC), Curtis Johnston (6th Street Bar & Grill), and Patti Curfman (Patti Cakes)