Future Chef 2023 was an enormous success at Bell Creek Intermediate on March 16.
A crowd of nearly 100 came to root the competitors on as eight fifth graders cooked up a storm, bringing the judges their favorite featured side dish.
Participants favorite side dishes were as follows: Carter Walters (Pineapple Casserole), Ali Shakhbandarov (Ali’s Fresh and Yummy Salad), Sophia Shannon (Mediterranean Baklava Fruit Salad), Michael Gard (Parmesan Roasted Zucchini), Karin De Paz Cubias (Fresh Summer Salad), AJ Mason (Tooty Fruity Fruit Parfait), Emma Howard (Shrooms and Sprouts), Benjamin Peck (Delicious Spinach Pear Salad).
Sophia Shannon took home the top prize, as well as the Cleanest Apron Award. Shannon’s recipe will move on to the national competition, and if selected, she will have another chance to compete.
Howard took second, as well as the Cleanest Work Station Award. Walters was third and took home the Biggest Ham award.
Other awards included: De Paz Cubias, Best Chef Hattitude; Mason, Messiest Apron; McPeck, Best use of Whisk; Gard, Most Punny; and Shakbandarov, Most Unexpected Goodiness.
Food Service General Manager Jennifer Hoehn shared her thanks for the parents, judges, her staff and the student helpers who came back to assist the chefs, as well as Sodexo, which has provided meal services for the district for the last 23 years.
Hoehn also took special notice of Nick Falzerano, who once again provided a special photo shoot for the competitors as well as creating the cookbook that was given to each competitor and also has a place in the school libraries.
The student helpers consisted of Ashtyn and Ava Praeter, Brielle Richardson, Eli Rodenroth, Shannon Osborn and Mikuya Ford.
Hoehn credited Osborn, who competed in 2014, with the creation of the student mentor program. She also gave special mention to Steve and Amy Rodenroth, who continue to be a part of the event well after their children finished their years of competition.
Judges included: Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools Superintendent Dr. Doug Cozad, Bellbrook Mayor Mike Schweller, Sugarcreek Township Administrator Barry Tiffany, Sugarcreek Township Police Chief Michael Brown, Bellbrook Police Chief Stephen Carmin, Bellbrook Fire Chief Anthony Bizzaro, Blueberry Café owner Kelley Seto Andary and Greene County Sheriff Scott Anger.