After the cooking and the plating…is there eating? Ummm….no. Unless gnawing your nails counts.

You've practiced plenty, you know the recipes, you know the timing, you have the grades for the school you want - what's to be nervous about CCAP finals?

After all, what's to worry about cooking four individual plates of food. making it all look terrific, cleaning the kitchen and….

…And then you will walk into a room with people who will suddenly seem like complete strangers (and some of them may be). 

Okay - so you're tired, you're nervous - and you need to be able to charm the heck out of those interviewers - after all, they're holding your future in their judgment.

Carrole A. Wolin, CCAP Arizona's state career liaison, has some ideas that should get you started on that interview in the most positive way.

When you walk into that interview, you want to be able to stay in the present (be focused!), and convey a positive attitude (stand straight! appear confident!).

Leave your phone outside of the interview! When you sit down, don't slump. (No kidding! It's important to physically demonstrate you are actively involved and focused on this interview.) 

Now - how can you best convey your genuine passion for the kitchen and demonstrate how well you've prepared?

"The first thing," Dr. Carrole says, "you'll want to know you should have at least three, preferably four options in schools or training that you could consider.

"The judges are well acquainted with culinary programs across the country, and it's important to keep an open mind as they review your information and discuss possibilities with you. They're well equipped to assess what might be the best option - and it might be something you hadn't thought too much about."

Because the judges often have specific suggestions, it's also critical, she says, for students to "Listen! To each questions and suggestion - and don't respond until the question is complete so that you know exactly what is being asked."

Take a deep breath before you begin your answers, and remember you can use gestures as you speak to underline the impact of your words.

Smile as you speak - you'll sound more confident and interested.

Look directly at the person with whom you're speaking; sometimes, just smiling helps you to feel more energetic and positive: and that will help you communicate the joy and excitement you feel about your work.

Keep the volume of your voice up, and vary your pace and pitch of voice. You don't want to fall into a monotone - and you do want to emphasize the importance of your words.

Remember, Dr. Carrole says, "You can ask the interviewers questions -such as, 'How do you evaluate a school?', or, 'Experience versus classroom - which gets a chef off to a better start?'.

"It is also important," she adds, "for students to have evaluated their funding for school from a realistic perspective. For instance, if you want to go to an out-of-state school, how will you travel back and forth? Where will you live? Can you afford books?

"We want CCAP Arizona students to have the help they need - but they also need to know how they will help make their school or training work for them."

Coming next: A step-by-step interview survival kit, plus who's judging finals (and why you want to know!).