Erwin Chefs Make State Finals

Pictured (from left) are Mishayla Edwards, Emma Gouge, Brayden Ledford, and Holden White.

By Tim Reaves
BCS Communications Department

Clyde A. Erwin High School’s ProStart Kitchen got the Hollywood treatment on Thursday as four aspiring chefs filmed their submission for this year’s virtual Jr. Chef Competition.

Students Mishayla Edwards, Brayden Ledford, Holden White, and Emma Gouge ran the kitchen like clockwork as they carefully crafted their culinary masterpiece: Holy Smoke Show Waffles. Inspired by student favorite “Taco Tuesdays,” the dish features a homemade taco seasoning blend with just the right amount of heat, Brasstown Beef chili, sweet potatoes, crispy kale chips, cornbread waffles, diced jalapeños, and cheddar cheese.

This is the third year out of four that Erwin’s team has made it to the state competition. In past competitions, students traveled to a state cook-off. This year, competitors are recording and submitting process videos and taking part in virtual interviews with the judges.

“It’s different this year because of COVID, but we’re adapting and making it even better,” said Brayden, a junior who also participated in Jr. Chef last year.

“We’re excited, because we’ve been working hard,” added Mishayla, a senior. “We’ve learned how to work together, assign roles, and finish the dish. We’re happy with how it turned out.”

After weeks of coaching the students, Family and Consumer Sciences teachers Lacy Grogan Davis and Kady Grogan-Rice ran the “control booth” on Thursday. Full of live recording gear, the advanced setup came courtesy of media assistant Jeff Hand, who helps run virtual broadcasts of Erwin sporting events. As the sisters watched the 90-minute timer and switched camera angles, they were proud of their student chefs.

“They’ve mastered the tasks, and they’re really organized,” Ms. Grogan Davis said. “They work so well together under pressure. This will be an experience they’ll never forget.”

Students will conduct interviews with Jr. Chef judges and find out how they did in the competition in April.

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