More practicing…

Last week’s practice at Thunderbird High School attracted five students, including Moon Valley students Carrie Beletz, a junior, and seniors Jason Langham and Emily Sterrett. Two Thunderbird High juniors also participated, Brandon Bratset and Marcus Johnson.

Culinary instructors Brandi James, Moon Valley, and Joanne Michael, hosting, from Thunderbird were on hand to work with their students and Glendale Union High School District staff member Amanda Shively stopped in.

With only five participants, both omelets and salads were reviewed. C-CAP Arizona’s executive director, Jill Smith, offered continuing assistance and assessment as students worked.

Some of her suggestions include:

· Take control of your own competition – know your timing, the recipes and techniques.

· Save points by making sure your attire and appearance meet competition standards.

· During competition, running at 37 minutes for your salad is okay, more time than that will lose points.

· Do not finish early! If you do, clean your stations, double check your plate and presentation.

· Taste everything! Make sure your vegetable to vinaigrette ratio is right.

· Keep your cutting board clean; handle one vegetable or food product and one tool at a time and don’t forget to clean the board in between tasks.

· Omelets need to have the right proportion of salt and pepper, and no evidence of under-whisked egg whites.

Remember: It’s a competition and competitions have rules. Make sure you’ve read and understand all of the rules before you begin.