Culinary artists from around the world may soon face stiff competition from the student Chefs at RE Simpson Middle School in the Alhambra School District.
Phoenix Police Officer Drew Nochta explains. “We're here for the Chef Du Jour Culinary Competition. All these kids have been working hard all semester up to this moment. And there's been a lot put in by our community partners to make this happen."
A former Chef himself, Officer Nochta is the School Resource Officer for Simpson Middle School.
He created an after-school culinary club for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
“We meet every Tuesday and Thursday, for an hour, hour and a half after school; we learn different foods to cook, different cultures, different foods from around the world. Also being able to cook a little bit healthier for themselves."
Officer Nochta sees a lot of value in working with the kids through this program.
“It's a good education in so many different ways. You learn leadership skills when you're cooking, you learn teamwork. You learn all these life skills that you're going to be able go carry forward with you."
On this day, the Chefs-in-training were treated like stars as they entered the kitchen to thunderous applause from parents and staff. The kids were ready to showcase their new skills in the school's first culinary competition.
“The kids are very excited, a little bit nervous, they have no idea what mystery ingredients they have. Ultimately, they are going to be surprised when they look in those baskets and see what ingredients they have."
The mystery ingredients were chicken, bacon, crushed tortilla chips, avocados and blueberries.
The celebrity judges included Janet Walter, Chef Instructor at Arizona Culinary Institute; Johnny Basha, Vice President of Bashas'; and Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams.
The kids had 60 minutes to use all the ingredients and impress the judges. They were scored on presentation, flavor, technique and creativity.
The winner of the first Chef Du Jour Culinary Competition is Team Tinys, featuring Adriana, Joselyn and Giselle. Afterwards they explained that it was their creativity using blueberries in the quesadillas that helped set them apart. All three expressed thanks to Officer Nochta for creating this class and giving them an opportunity to learn a career skill.
The Phoenix Police Department is honored to participate in events like this as part of their commitment to the community.
Everyone wins when we all come together.
