Fri Sep 20 14:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Downey Middle Schoolers Master Mac and Cheese in First-Ever Cooking Competition
**Downey, CA** – In a surprising display of culinary prowess, middle school students in Downey, California, recently competed in the district’s first-ever macaroni and cheese cooking competition. While the students may not see this as a career path just yet, the competition highlighted the importance of culinary education at an early age.
Griffiths Middle School, which introduced its culinary program in 2016, hosted the event, inviting three other middle schools from the district – Doty, Stauffer, and Sussman – to participate. The atmosphere was electric, a far cry from the “home economics” classes of the past, which often consisted of limited cooking opportunities and a focus on basic skills.
“To have kids engaged in school, the reality is you have to find something every student is passionate about,” explains Ashley Catanzano, the public information officer at Downey Unified School District. The district offers 24 different career technical education (CTE) pathways, including culinary arts, which provide hands-on experience and even prepare students for jobs after graduation.
While the middle school students may not have the same career aspirations as their high school counterparts, they shared a common motivation: to learn how to cook for their families. “Three times a week I see my dad cooking and I want to help,” shared Maddy, a 13-year-old student.
The competition showcased the students’ newfound culinary skills, learned through their culinary arts class. Led by teacher Kim Silverman, a former instructor at Le Cordon Bleu, the students started with basic skills like washing dishes, sweeping, and wiping down counters, before mastering knife skills and more complex cooking techniques.
The students’ dedication to sanitation and teamwork was evident as they navigated the kitchen with ease, preparing their signature macaroni and cheese dishes, from lobster mac and cheese to cacio e pepe. They even incorporated nutritional awareness into their recipes, opting for healthier ingredients like protein pasta and reducing the use of butter and cream.
Ultimately, Griffiths Middle School took home the crown with their lobster macaroni and cheese, demonstrating the valuable skills and camaraderie gained through the competition. This experience not only provided the students with culinary skills but also underscored the importance of shared cooking experiences and the joy of creating delicious food together.
First Piper 