The eighth graders move around the kitchen with skills comparable to seasoned chefs as they prepare dishes for this trimester’s Woodbury Middle School Chopped Competition.

They received a list of secret ingredients– chicken breast, spaghetti, cinnamon, curry powder, and carrots – and these student-chefs have come up with a wide array of delicious dishes they will create and serve to the three teachers who are lucky enough to judge the competition tomorrow.

Culinary teacher Mike Hadoulis has been using the cooking competitions for his students for many years and, while the themes may vary, he finds that the competitions are a terrific scenario for the Region 14 Vision of a Learner attributes to play out in real-time.

The competitions promote student collaboration and creativity, enhance cooking skills, build confidence and self-discipline, and give students opportunities to adapt and adjust as things inevitably change in the kitchen.