The Patton High School culinary arts team presents their finished product to the judging team at the 2025 Chopped Competition at East Burke High School on April 16.
The Patton High School culinary arts team presents their finished product to the judging team at the 2025 Chopped Competition at East Burke High School on April 16.
Culinary students from Freedom High School sliced and diced their way to the top in Burke County School’s third annual “Chopped” competition, held Wednesday, April 16, at East Burke High School.
High school “Chopped” competitions are cooking challenges modeled after the popular Food Network show. Students compete by creating dishes using a set of mystery ingredients, within a set time limit. According to organizers, the competition is a fun and engaging way for culinary arts students to develop their skills, creativity, and teamwork.
Teams of four to five culinary students from each of the district’s five high schools cooked an entree, side dish, and dessert, using only the ingredients provided in a mystery basket of foods.
After just one hour of planning time, teams had two hours to create and present dishes to three judges, Chartwells Regional Chef Imani Colclough, Chartwells Regional Vice President Genie Caroselli, and Board of Education member Reid Beck. Dishes were judged based on appearance, taste, texture and creativity.
Following a close competition, Freedom High School was named the first-place winner of Chopped 2025. Second place went to Patton High School, followed by Draughn High School in third.
For a second competition, teams prepared a homemade rub for ribs smoked in the Pig Rig, the district’s mobile meat smoker. East Burke High School won first place for the best rib rub followed by Hallyburton Academy in second and Draughn High School in third.
Sandra Wilkerson Queen is the arts & entertainment editor. She may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2002, orsandra@thepaper.media.
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