WASHINGTON — D.C. high school students from Roosevelt and Ballou showcased their culinary skills in the Pepsi Future Chef Recipe Contest. Junior and senior students presented dishes based on family recipes or a new and unique creation for a chance to earn some additional scholarship money on Thursday.
The event was held at Ballou High School and focused on BBQ-themed recipes ahead of the 32nd Annual Giant National Capital BBQ Battle on June 22-23 in Downtown D.C.
The students who entered the competition are part of D.C.’s ProStart Program. ProStart is a two-year program that paves the way for high school students to develop their skills within the hospitality industry.
The competition consists of three rounds, in the first round students must submit their recipes and submission forms. Three finalists from each school are selected to move on to the second round, where they compete in the live cook-off at Ballou.
Students were judged on cleanliness, food presentation, flavor, creativity, and overall impression.
“As a culinary instructor, my goal is to establish in each student a sense of creativity and joy for cooking,” said Chef Shanel Howard of Ballou High School. “The Pepsi Future Chef Recipe Contest encourages young chefs to explore their family's culinary history and create new recipes that are tasty yet inspire a lifetime of passion for the culinary arts.”
The winners will be announced at the Giant National Capital BBQ Battle on June 22.
The students who placed in the top three received scholarships from Pepsi and The Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation. The first-place winner will receive $10,000, second place will receive $5,000, and third place will receive $2,500. These scholarships will assist students in funding their culinary passion as they pursue higher education within the arts.