In a culinary showdown that showcased the talents of young FMS chefs, Troy Longoria, a Piedra Vista student emerged as the victor of the 2nd Annual Jr. Chef Competition. Held under the theme “A Taste of Little Italy, New Mexico Style,” Longoria wowed the judges with his tasty creation, “Green Chile Spaghetti.” His culinary skills earned him the title of Top Junior Chef along with a cool $1000 prize.
The competition, reminiscent of popular television shows like “MasterChef Junior” and “Kids Baking Championship,” was no small feat for our participating students. Under the watchful eyes of mentors and supporters, they meticulously selected ingredients, crafted recipes, and executed their cooking techniques within the constraints of a one-hour time limit.
According to Troy's mother, Vanessa Lameman, his culinary journey began at an early age, learning the art of cooking from her. This early exposure undoubtedly contributed to his success, evident from his previous win for “Best Presentation” while representing Mesa View Middle School in last year's competition with the dish, “Green Chile Pasta.”
The event drew participation from various schools including Tibbetts, Heights, Mesa View, Farmington High, and Piedra Vista, with each team showcasing their culinary creativity. While Longoria claimed the top prize, other teams also received recognition for their outstanding contributions:
Best Presentation: Team "The Dudes" from Farmington High School
Best Recipe and Taste: Team "Knights" from Heights Middle School
Best Team Spirit: Team "Forks and Spoons" from Mesa View Middle School
Best Effort: Team "Papa Louie" from Tibbetts Middle School
The dish, “Green Chile Marinara with Pasta,” crafted by Team Knights from Heights Middle School, earned the honor of being featured in the lunch menus for the upcoming year, a testament to their culinary ingenuity. The dish will include spicy sausages when we see it again in our cafeterias. Congratulations!
The competition not only served as a platform for budding chefs to showcase their abilities but also brought together families and the public to savor the culinary delights prepared by the students at the end of the contest.
Behind the scenes, the success of the event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of sponsors, volunteers, K12 by Elior, and Farmington Municipal Schools. Special recognition goes to Chef Jill Mayer, FoodCorps Coordinator Tatiana Trujillo, and Student Nutrition Coordinator Marie Johnson for their invaluable role as judges.
The 2nd Annual Jr. Chef Competition is a labor of love, and a true celebration of culinary talent, teamwork, and dedication, reaffirming the importance of fostering young talent in the culinary arts.
Huge kudos to the K12 by Elior Team and FMS staff for their amazing work setting up the stations and clearing them out before the awards portion of the event. Great job!
A very special thank you to Hilcorp for their generous funding, which will help run this program for 3 to 4 more years. Thank you!