Team puts culinary skills to the test

You may not find NHS culinary students on the Food Channel yet, but a talented team of sophomore guys were motivated to test their skills. Patrick Caudel, David Clark, Austin Nix, Aaron Praus and alternate Jeremy Koch competed in the ProStart Culinary Championship held at the Portland Expo Center on February 19, 2011.

This Newberg team competed against 25 other teams to demonstrate knife skills, chicken fabrication and complete a starter, main course and dessert in one hour. They developed a pan-Asian menu that included a fresh spring salad with fresh oranges, peaches and basil; Mongolian chicken over whole wheat pasta; and Halo Halo, a Filipino dessert that featured layers of sweetened beans, preserved fruit, milk and ice.

The team placed 16th, a great improvement over their last trip to the contest according to teacher Jane Eilert. Teachers Dorothy Roholt and Linda Stanton, mentor chef Bill Jackson and reserve members Tyler Doran and Michie Guyton rounded out the Newberg team.

Culinary students at NHS can take Introduction to Culinary, Culinary I A&B, Culinary II C&D. Students competing on the Newberg team are in their 3rd semester of classes.