Two Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management seniors brought home gold medals from the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state culinary competition in Columbus. This year, hundreds of students from around Ohio took part in state events. FCCLA sponsors competitions at the regional, state, and national levels for students enrolled in family and consumer sciences programs. These competitions give students the opportunity to showcase their career-technical talents and skills in a hands-on setting.
Nick Dasher, a Strongsville High School senior, earned a gold medal in the culinary arts event and qualified to compete at nationals in Denver, Colorado from June 30-July 7, 2023. In this challenge, he had 60 minutes to prepare a two-course meal featuring a spinach salad with warm bacon vinaigrette dressing and an entrée with sauteed chicken breast with kalamata olives and tomatoes, classic rice pilaf and zucchini with fresh basil.
Michael Graley, a senior from Berea-Midpark High School, brought home a gold medal in garde manger. In this event, he had 60 minutes to present his interpretation of three cold hors d'oeuvres. His award-winning creation featured tuna poke with chili garlic shallot sauce and shaved watermelon radish, an Asian noodle salad with miso teriyaki vinaigrette and spicy Thai peanuts, and petite cucumber cups filled with edamame hummus. Michael advanced as far as he could as there is no garde manger skills event at nationals.
Congratulations and good luck at nationals, Nick!