News

Ten student chefs in grades first through fourth grade participated in the annual Future Chefs competition held at Edison Preparatory.

Each student was given the proper tools and a sous-chef to help them throughout the event. The chefs had to use their favorite fruit or vegetable side dish in their cuisine.

"It's really about engagement outside of their school environment and teaching some kids about healthy aspects to cooking," said Executive Chef of Tulsa Public Schools Ron Harrison. "If they win here, they could go on to a state-level competition, and we've had kids from districts in Oklahoma that have gone all the way to nationals."

The chefs were given one hour to complete their dish that they would present to a panel of judges.

"Something just made me want to choose this dish but mostly because of the blueberries and the strawberries," said contestant Zoe Reynolds, a student at Patrick Henry Elementary. "The cooking has been my favorite part! I really like all of the other contestants and staff here today."

Once each dish had been presented to the judges, they were rated and the highest rating took home the gold. 

The competition was close but ultimately Charley McKenzie, a second grader at Eliot Elementary, won it all with her zuchinni bread. She got to take home a trophy, a complete cooking set, including pots and pans, and other cooking utensils. She's now able to advance to the state competition and if she wins there, she will go on to the regional competition to compete against student chefs across the country.

Congratulations to Charley and all the participating chefs!