Photos courtesy of Youngstown City School District Choffin Career & Technical Center culinary arts students compete during the Ohio Grown: Student Chef Showcase on Friday in Columbus. They prepared an original recipe called the “Defenders Power Lunch.”

YOUNGSTOWN — A team of culinary arts students from Choffin Career & Technical Center participated Friday in the Ohio Grown: Student Chef Showcase, a statewide student-centered culinary competition funded through the United States Department of Agriculture 2022 Farm to School Formula Grant.

The competition was designed to develop student interest in nutrition and culinary arts career pathways through hands-on experience creating and preparing an original school lunch recipe using fresh, locally sourced Ohio ingredients.

Choffin Career & Technical Center was one of five teams selected from across Ohio to compete in the final competition in Columbus.

Representing the Youngstown City School District and Choffin Career & Technical Center was Choffin’s team, Defenders of Flavor, under the direction of culinary arts instructor Tricia Goodnough. The team included four culinary arts juniors: Mariell Lee, Breylin Yuman de La Rosa, Alondra Rivera Rodriguez and Matthias Meadows.

As part of the competition, students developed an original recipe titled Defenders Power Lunch, which YCSD Director of Food ServiceTascin Brooks has agreed to incorporate into the district lunch menu next school year.

Throughout the competition, students were challenged to think critically, collaborate under pressure and adapt in real time as unexpected issues arose in the kitchen.

“While the team did not return home with a winning banner, they gained valuable hands-on experience and demonstrated professionalism, teamwork and resilience throughout the event,” said Choffin marketing director Joelle Bettura Stack in a news release.

“I’ve truly enjoyed serving as a mentor to these students throughout the process of developing their original recipe,” Brooks said. “Watching them collaborate, problem-solve, and bring their ideas to life has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to include Defenders Power Lunch on the district’s menu next school year.”

YCSD Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor said, “I am incredibly proud of our Choffin CTC scholars for their outstanding performance at the ‘Our Ohio Grown: Student Chef Showcase.’ Earning a spot among the five teams statewide is a testament to their culinary skill, creativity and dedication to excellence. While they didn’t take home the top prize, the teamwork and professionalism they displayed on this grand stage were truly a testament to their hard work and leadership. We applaud our scholars for representing Youngstown with such talent and pride.”

Dr. Michael Saville, director of Choffin Career & Technical Center, praised the students for their dedication and growth throughout the process.

“We are incredibly proud of the Defenders of Flavor team,” said Saville. “Competitions like this provide students with authentic, real-world learning experiences that go far beyond the classroom. These students demonstrated perseverance, professionalism, creativity and teamwork while representing our career center at a high level.”

The Culinary Arts program at Choffin Career & Technical Center prepares students for careers in the culinary and hospitality industries through hands-on instruction, industry experiences and opportunities to earn credentials while still in high school.