Kids & Family
South Technical High School Wins 12th Annual Culinary Cookoff
An Event Similar to The Food Network's "Iron Chef" Competition, Hosted By Explore St. Louis
With the coveted Chef Thomas Elkin Memorial Cup as the top prize, South Technical High School won Explore St. Louis’ 12th Annual Culinary Cook-Off on Friday, April 12 at St. Louis Community College - Forest Park. Faced with unknown ingredients, three participating teams, Beaumont, North Technical, and South Technical, were tasked with creating an appetizer, salad and entrée for critiquing.
The winning team of ambitious chef’s from South Technical prepared three courses to be judged by this year’s esteemed panel:
• David Bailey, mastermind behind the Bailey’s Restaurants empire of popular St. Louis restaurants: Bailey’s Range, Bailey’s Chocolate Bar, Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar, Hugo’s Pizzeria, Pop, Rooster & Small Batch; as well as event destinations Willow and Slate, and The Fifth Wheel Catering company.
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• Ben Grupe, James-Beard semifinalist chef – opening the Tempus restaurant this summer in the Grove.
• Charlie Downs, restauranteur, owner of Sugarfire Smokehouse, Sugarfire pie and Sugarfire Events, Hi-Pointe Drive-In, Cyrano’s Café and The Boathouse @ Forest Park.
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To capture the Gold Medal and the Cup, South Technical generated the most overall points using the secret ingredients – Ahi Tuna and Poblano Peppers – that were selected and kept private until the start of the competition. South Tech. presented creative dishes to the judges, including a house-made sweet and spicy BBQ chicken flatbread and Blackened Ahi Tuna served over pasta with a poblano cream sauce (pictured, attached).
“Congratulations to South Technical and all of the students who put their culinary skills on the line in this intense, pressure-filled competition,” said Anthony Paraino, Director of Communications for Explore St. Louis, whose organization sponsored the event. “It was a fierce competition and a fun stage for young St. Louis chefs to showcase their skills toward a career in St. Louis’ thriving culinary industry.”
Held by Explore St. Louis in celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week (May 6-12, 2018) and based on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef” competition, the Culinary Cook-Off requires each team to create a three-course meal over a two-hour period without knowing the ingredients beforehand.
In addition, Juwan Rice of South Technical High School received the Elijah Moore Culinary Leadership Award, presented to the student who demonstrates outstanding leadership. He received a knife set and a $1,500 scholarship from Explore St. Louis to the culinary institution of his choice. Additionally, the American Culinary Federation donated one set of professional knifes to each participating school.
Assisting Explore St. Louis with the event were Matthew Walbaum (Executive Chef at Levy Restaurants), Ellen Piazza (Chef, Instructor at STLCC-Forest Park), Paul Walbaum (Sous Chef at America’s Center).
About Explore St. Louis
Explore St. Louis is the driving force behind St. Louis’ $5.8 billion convention and tourism industry, the official destination marketing organization of St. Louis City and County and operator of the America’s Center Convention Complex.
Photos courtesy of David Preston, David W Preston Photography:
Image 1 (from left to right): Kitty Ratcliffe (President, Explore St. Louis); Charlie Downs (Sugarfire, Hi-Point Drive-In, Cyrano’s Café & Boathouse @ Forst Park); South Technical Culinary Team (2019 winners); Ben Grupe (James Beard semifinalist Chef, Tempus); David Bailey (Bailey’s Restaurants).
Image 2: South Technical winning appetizer (sweet and spicy BBQ flatbread)
Image 3: 2nd place North Technical preparing in the kitchen