Carson City, Nev. (May 19, 2025) — In collaboration with Chartwells, the Carson City School District foodservice partner, Culinary Arts students from Ms. Tammy Borremans’ Intermediate Culinary Arts classes at Carson Middle School competed in a “Discovery Kitchen Cook Off.”
Similar to a mini version of the Food Network’s Iron Chef, the timed cooking competition featured teams of three students who prepared succulent dishes for a judging panel.
The meals were assembled with specific themed ingredients and required the competitors to prepare a chicken, a starch and a veggie.
Whose cuisine reigned supreme?
The African Peri Peri Chicken with sauce, Mom’s Mexican Rice and French sautéed asparagus.
The winning dish was prepared by eighth graders John Riley Green, Ethen Carrasco Orozco, Elmer Pacheco Avalos and Greyson Jones.
The winning team was awarded a trophy, and each team member received a certificate, cooking utensils and a $25 gift card to the Chef’s Store in Carson City.
All of the competitors received a “Discovery Kitchen Cook-Off” apron and hat.
The judges included Athena Peters, director of Dining Services and Executive Chef, with Chartwells at the Carson City School District; Brooke Tompkins, operations manager with Chartwells for California and Nevada; Francisco Garcia, private chef; and Ryan Canaday, news anchor with KTVN, Ch. 2.
The “Discovery Kitchen Cook Off” was made possible in part by the Carson City Schools Foundation, which sponsored a grant for kitchen racks, a hydroponic herb garden system, canvas grow bags and herb garden seeds for the culinary program.
ABOUT Carson City School District
Located in Nevada’s capital, Carson City School District offers public education to approximately 7,300 students throughout Carson City. The district includes 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 alternative high school and 1 comprehensive high school. Carson City School District boasts many successes, including impressive graduation rates, strict safety measures, programs for gifted students and advanced-placement classes, among several others. For more information, visit carsoncityschools.com.
