Chiefs win state culinary contest

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School culinary class was named all-around winner at a state competition last weekend.

Four Moses Lake students attended the Washington Restaurant Association Education Foundation ProStart Invitational at South Seattle Community College Saturday and Sunday.

"Competing under the glare of top industry chefs, the students placed first in the overall competition and were named all-around winners," said restaurant association Director of Communications Camille St. Onge. "The school's team scored the highest combined points in the competition's two main events — culinary, which includes cooking and knife skills, and restaurant management, which includes knowledge bowl and case study."

Students Chris Rimbey, KayCee Coker, Hillary Lublin and Kayla Scott received $12,000 in scholarships and a dinner for them and their families, said teacher Susan Moberg. The dinner is hosted by Food Services of America.

They were invited to attend an American Culinary Federation regional conference in Coeur d'Alene April 16.

Moberg said judges complimented students on their professional look and on their presentation.

"There were ten judges that came up and complimented them on the way they looked," Moberg said.

Rimbey, Coker, Lublin and Scott prepared a three-course meal with only two butane burners as a heat source. Courses included a duck, apple, radish salad with wasabi mayonnaise, beef tenderloin with wilted baby spinach and organic potatoes, and chocolate fritters with cherry mousse and a bubble-sugar garnish.

When the students brought their prepared food to the judges, the judges finished every bite.

Moberg said one judge commented the Moses Lake students showed more skill than his second and third-year culinary school students.

"Every year, I'm amazed at the talent of the students, both in their cooking skills and in their knowledge of the industry," said restaurant association President and CEO Anthony Anton. "Many of today's top culinary professionals started in entry-level positions. These students have an edge in the culinary world and will have no trouble excelling as they continue in the industry."

Moses Lake High School earned first place in the case study portion of the competition and second in the culinary portion. Competing teams came from 28 schools in Washington.

"It was really, really an incredible experience," Moberg said.