Forest Fourth-Grader Wins Future Chefs Challenge

Written by Susan Misur

WEST HAVEN, CT — Steak and cheese sandwiches, avocado and hummus on multi-grain toast, ambrosia, watermelon cake — West Haven Public School fourth-graders served up all these dishes along with a healthy dose of competition at the recent third annual Future Chefs Challenge.

But Forest Elementary School student Jordan Verbanic’s watermelon cake with fresh berries received the highest ratings from judges, earning him a first-place prize of a new bicycle.

The April 27 contest was again sponsored by Sodexo, the school district’s food services management company.

Fourth-graders were asked this spring to submit ideas for snacks, and one finalist from each elementary school competed in the event at West Haven High School, with help from some food services staff members.

Superintendent Neil Cavallaro, Executive Assistant John Lewis from Mayor Ed O'Brien's office, and Dawn Reiss-Melillo, a catering and display cooking chef for Food Services, served as judges.

Food Services Director Meg Kingston, who oversees the event, said she looks forward to seeing the creative recipes students submit for consideration each year.

“It is the most fun event,” she said. “I love to watch the students organize and get excited about their recipes. I'm hoping that this opens the door for future culinary professionals."

Recipe submissions have become more advanced as the competition has grown each year.

Three steak-and-cheese sandwich recipes earned spots in this year’s final round: Edison Ortiz from Edith E. Mackrille Elementary School entered his "Big Eddie Sandwich,” Danny McCullough of Washington Elementary School offered up his “Steak and Cheese Bomb,” and Ryan Robinson from Alma E. Pagels Elementary School made his "Cow Combo."

Ava Alonso from Savin Rock Community School whipped up some ambrosia, while Daniel Potter from Seth G. Haley Elementary School made toast with hummus and avocado.

Parents and siblings cheered from the sidelines, as the fourth-graders, clad in chef hats and coats, showed off their culinary skills and served judges samples of their dishes. Each contestant received a basket of kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, and herb and vegetable planting kits.

But Jordan couldn’t believe his eyes when a staff member rolled a bicycle into the cafeteria as his grand prize. He said he enjoys cooking and that his contest entry is not his only specialty.

“I came up with the watermelon cake with my dad,” he said. “But I also like to make pancakes and macaroni and cheese.”

Contributed photos:

Ava at Future Chefs: Savin Rock Community School student Ava Alonso whips up some ambrosia at West Haven Public Schools’ third annual Future Chefs Challenge April 27 at West Haven High School. Ava and five other fourth-graders each made snacks of their choosing with help from workers from the school district’s Food Services Department. Fourth-graders were asked this spring to submit ideas for snacks, and one finalist from each elementary school competed in the event. The contest was again sponsored by Sodexo, the schools’ food services management company.

Jordan Future Chefs Winner: Forest Elementary School student Jordan Verbanic prepares a watermelon cake for judges at West Haven Public Schools’ third annual Future Chefs Challenge April 27 at West Haven High School. Jordan was named the top future chef, earning a new bicycle as his prize.