Kentucky Second in High School Culinary Competition That Teaches Food Preparation Skills

LOUISVILLE (May 10, 2018) — The Maxwell High School of Technology “Bold and Fresh” team from Lawrenceville, Georgia, claimed the first Southeast Region Junior Chef Competition crown on Thursday at Sullivan University. Two-time Kentucky state champion Montgomery County 4-H was second.

“Congratulations to Maxwell for earning the title of best culinary team in the Southeast,” Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “I also want to recognize Montgomery County High School for their second-place finish. All the teams did an outstanding job of food preparation, presentation, and teamwork. We commend all the parents, teachers, and advisors who helped them along the way. And we greatly appreciate Sullivan University for supporting Junior Chef from the beginning.”

Eight states participated in the inaugural Southeast Region Junior Chef Competition – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Each member of Maxwell High was awarded the offer of full scholarships and fees at Sullivan. Each member of Montgomery County won a full scholarship offer from Sullivan. Each member of the third-place team, Clyde’s Caliente Cowboys from Clyde A. Erwin High School in Asheville, North Carolina, won a $20,000 scholarship offer from Sullivan.

The Southeast Region Junior Chef Competition was hosted by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

Junior Chef is a statewide high school culinary competition founded by the KDA in 2013. The competition teaches valuable skills in recipe development, food preparation, marketing, public presentation, organization, teamwork, and community involvement. At the same time, participating students learn about the importance of agriculture and the economic impact that purchasing local foods can have on communities.

Kentucky’s sixth Junior Chef season is under way. Regional champions will compete for the state Junior Chef championship at the Kentucky State Fair in August in Louisville.

For more information about the Kentucky Junior Chef Program, go to kyagr.com/junior-chef.

Montgomery County High School’s 4-H culinary team was runner-up in the first Southeast Region Junior Chef competition on May 10 in Louisville. (Kentucky Department of Agriculture photo)