Northfield Junior Chefs Win District Wide Chef Academy Competition
Northfield Junior Chefs Win District Wide Chef Academy Competition
Add culinary skills to the resume for students of Murfreesboro City Schools. Fourth through sixth grade students had the opportunity to apply for the MCS Chef Academy and complete a six-week Iron Chef type competition. Putting their knowledge to work, the Northfield Knights won the district final competition.
The MCS Chef Academy is a unique opportunity for children interested in cooking to learn intermediate skills and techniques needed to embark on a lifetime of cooking. Students enrolled in MCS Chef Academy participated in classes once a week for six weeks, and competed for a chance to represent their school in a cook-off among schools. Participants learned basics in kitchen safety, proper food handling, food preparation, cooking techniques, and presentation, all led by a professional chef.
“This is a great way to get the students interested in cooking and making healthier choices,” says Coordinated School Health Director, Meri-Leigh Smith. “We want them to be excited about cooking, and when you throw some competition in the mix the kids really seem to enjoy it.”
Teams from Bradley Academy, Cason Lane Academy, Northfield Elementary, and Scales Elementary were the four teams competing in the finals. They prepared and cooked the food, then presented their plates to the judges. Each member of the team must know the temperature the food was cooked, the seasonings in the dishes, as well as multiple cooking techniques.
Murfreesboro City School’s Nutrition Educator and Trainer, Chef Jack Sawyers, is in the kitchen each week working with the students. “Seeing the students in here and eager to work is exciting to me. They want to win and want to show their parents and teachers how much they have learned in the kitchen,” say Sawyers.
Northfield Elementary students won 1st place in the final round with their Poor Boy Steak, carrots and potatoes. Each student received a chef jacket and their winning plate will be featured on the 2017-2018 school lunch menu.
Murfreesboro City Schools is a district of twelve schools committed to the academic and personal success of each child.
