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91¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Culinary Institute Teams with Local Students for Sunshine Kitchen Cookoff

December 10, 2024 91¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ

FORT PIERCE, FL (December 10, 2024) - In a showcase of culinary talent and collaboration, Fort Pierce Westwood WEST Prep Academy student Yesenia Guadarrama and 91¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Culinary Institute student Adiel Mazariegos-Cordoba emerged victorious at the Sunshine Kitchen Cookoff competition. Each winner received a $1,500 scholarship for their outstanding culinary creation.

Adiel Mazariegos-Cordoba, Chef Jeannie (Susan) Gray, and Yesenia Guadarrama at the Sunshine Kitchen Cookoff Competition

The Sunshine Kitchen Cookoff competition is sponsored by the Sunshine Kitchen and the St. Lucie Board of County Commissioners. The competition paired high school students with current 91¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Culinary Institute students, highlighting the College's commitment to mentorship and culinary education excellence. Five teams competed, creating innovative dishes using locally sourced sirloin beef donated by Adams Ranch, and potatoes and fresh vegetables.

The winning team impressed judges with their creative interpretation of Chiles En Nogada, featuring a roasted stuffed poblano pepper filled with steak, potatoes, pears, green apples, and carrots, topped with a walnut cream sauce and pomegranate.

"This competition exemplifies the hands-on learning experiences we provide at Indian River State College's Culinary Institute," said Debbie Midkiff, Department Chair and Instructor for Culinary and Hospitality Programs. "By partnering our students with aspiring high school chefs, we're fostering creativity, teamwork, and professional growth while showcasing the exceptional talent in our region."

Other competing teams included:

• Kait Owens (St. Lucie West Centennial High) and Kyla Benjamin (Indian River State College)
• Alberto Gamboa-Bermudez (Fort Pierce Central High) and Tarissa Wright (Indian River State College)
• Yedah Augustin (Treasure Coast High) and Antonio Kocen (91¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ)
• Ko'Mari Bailey (Port St. Lucie High) and Joshua Dove (91¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ)

Each team demonstrated remarkable creativity, presenting dishes ranging from Korean-inspired sticky potatoes with Asian carrot salad to coffee-and-chili-rubbed sirloin with glazed carrots. Young chefs from Northport K8 and St. Lucie West K8 added to the event's success by serving refreshments to attendees.

The 91¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Culinary Institute offers comprehensive culinary arts education, preparing students for successful careers in the food service industry. Programs include hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities, professional certification preparation, and real-world experience through events like the Sunshine Kitchen Cookoff.

The Sunshine Kitchen, located at 7550 Pruitt Research Center Road in Fort Pierce, is a 10,000-square-foot state-of-the-art food incubator where chefs, caterers, food truck operators, and other food service organizations can hone their culinary skills. The Kitchen is owned and managed by St. Lucie County and partners with Indian River State College and the St. Lucie County Extension/University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to provide training and classes. 

For more information about 91¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ's Culinary Institute and upcoming events, visit irsc.edu or contact Debbie Midkiff at culinary@irsc.edu.