Local items featured in student chef competition

Without local island farms, the Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria Program would not thrive. They help our students learn about food and farming, help us keep our school garden healthy, and provide products included every day on the school lunch menu and fresh salad bar. That’s why we are putting a local twist on our Second Annual Student Chef Competition, which will take place in February. At least one of the main items contained in the recipe must be obtainable from a local island source.

December 22, 2010 4:31 pm
Nile Reed preparing his grand prize winning recipe of “Maple Vanilla Panna Cotta with Blackberry Sauce” in the first OISD Student Chef Competition which occurred in April of this year.
Nile Reed preparing his grand prize winning recipe of “Maple Vanilla Panna Cotta with Blackberry Sauce” in the first OISD Student Chef Competition which occurred in April of this year.

by MADIE MURRAY

Without local island farms, the Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria Program would not thrive. They help our students learn about food and farming, help us keep our school garden healthy, and provide products included every day on the school lunch menu and fresh salad bar.

That’s why we are putting a local twist on our Second Annual Student Chef Competition, which will take place in February. At least one of the main items contained in the recipe must be obtainable from a local island source.

That doesn’t mean it has to be available when the competition occurs, but it must be found from a local source when it would be served as a seasonal school lunch item. Items available only during the summer can qualify since they can be harvested and preserved in our fifth season preparation. If the recipe contains meat, it could be naturally obtainable from a local island farm, but it would need to be practical and not financially prohibitive for a school lunch entree. Example: pork chops probably wouldn’t be a good idea.

All students in the Orcas Island School District, including Waldron, may submit recipes for consideration in the competition. Entries must be submitted by Jan. 14, 2011. The competition will be held on Feb. 12. To download guidelines, go to www.orcasislandf2c.org and click on “Student Chef Competition.”

Madie Murray is the Farm to Cafeteria committee chair.