Dandan Elementary School students on Wednesday put their culinary skills to the test for the honor of representing their school at the Public School System\u2019s islandwide cooking contest next month.<\/p>\n
From smoothies to salads, the six aspiring chefs prepared their special recipes that had colorful and creative presentations.<\/p>\n
Each entry was adjudged based on taste, appearance, customer appeal, and nutritional value. Recipes should also correspond to the overall theme, \u201cWhat\u2019s In Your Plate?\u201d<\/p>\n
Rachel Reyes, cooking contest coordinator and third grade teacher at Dandan Elementary School, said this is the first time that the school held a cooking competition for students who can join individually or form a team of up to three members.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our first time to hold this event and the kids really enjoyed it. It was awesome and I\u2019m very happy with the recipes,\u201d Reyes said.<\/p>\n
LSG Sky Chefs\u2019 Heather Camacho, one of the judges, said she had a hard time evaluating the recipes because they all tasted delicious and healthy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe students came up with different things that are all natural because they didn\u2019t use any additives. They\u2019re all good and delicious,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In the end, it was the \u201cGrilled Fruits\u201d creation of third grader Tivana Torres, her brother and fourth grader Vincent Torres III, and second grader cousin Jesse Taitano who earned the nods of the judges as the best.<\/p>\n
The winning team won gift certificates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really happy that we won. I\u2019m excited that our team will represent our school in the cooking contest,\u201d said third grader Tivana Torres.<\/p>\n
Rowina Torres, mother of Tivana and Vincent, said she took time off work to support her children and nephew as they joined the cooking contest. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited for them. My daughter has been asking me for weeks to help them prepare for the contest,\u201d said Rowina Torres, who is the general manager and part-owner of Coral Ocean Point. <\/p>\n
According to Rowina Torres, all three children always help in the kitchen at home.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy daughter loves to bake and she even has a personalized apron. They all did a great job and I\u2019m proud of them,\u201d she told Saipan Tribune.<\/p>\n
In second place was second grader Abigail Decena, with her \u201cFruit Delight with Oatmeal Cookies,\u201d which she learned from her mom Ella.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to join again next year and hopefully win first place,\u201d said Decena, 8.<\/p>\n
School principal Martha Kintol commended all the students for coming up with healthy recipes.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor these junior chefs to show interest at this age is something that I know is great and shows an encouraging message to other students. I have no doubt that the winners will represent our school well in the competition,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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