MEDIA ADVISORY -- 9th Annual Teen Iron Chef Competition is Thursday, Feb. 6

MEDIA ADVISORY January 23, 2014

Contact: Lisa McDonnell
(619) 306-3957

9th Annual Teen Iron Chef Competition

WHAT: San Diego Unified School District Culinary Arts and Management students from Hoover High, Madison High, Morse High, San Diego High, and Scripps Ranch High battle each other preparing a three-course meal with a secret ingredient. The competition is based on the Iron Chef America Series on the Food Network.

WHEN: Thursday, February 6 (rain or shine)
· 3:30 p.m. – Students arrive to set up; introduction of judges; announcement of secret ingredient
· 3:40-5:20 p.m. – One-hour timed competition, staggered start; all cutting, mixing, food prep
· 4:40-5:45 p.m. – Staggered plating and presentation to judges
· 5:10-6:00 p.m. – Judging occurs
· 6:00 p.m. – Announcement of winning team

WHERE: SDG&E Energy Innovation Center
4760 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, SD (Kearny Mesa) 92117.
Media parking will be available in main lot.
phone: (800) 613-8970 http://www.sdge.com/energy-innovation-center/contact-us


VISUALS: High school students cooking and serving meals during competition, judges evaluating meals, winning team awards ceremony.

GUEST SPEAKERS/INTERVIEWS: students, teachers, industry judges. (Spanish as well)

BACKGROUND: Teen Iron Chef is in its ninth year and was the brain child of a College, Career & Technical Education (CCTE) teacher. She wanted her students to experience competitive cooking and based the San Diego Unified School District's competition on the Iron Chef America Series on the Food Network.

Students are able to work on their ideas, go shopping, portion their protein and measure any dry or liquid ingredients the day before. They are not allowed to do any actual cooking, pre-making dough, or premixing ingredients ahead of time. On the day of the competition, they will be presented with a secret ingredient that must be incorporated into at least one of their three courses. They are allowed to have their recipes or prep-list at the station during the competition.

Five schools will compete this year with Morse High School making its first year debut under the direction of CCTE teacher, Sara Smith, and mentor Ivan Flowers, Executive Chef from Top of the Market. Hoover High School will mark its second year in the competition under the direction of CCTE teacher, Pam Dahlin, with the help of mentor, Chris Sias, Sous chef from Felix's BBQ. Last year's winner, Madison High School and CCTE teacher, Justin Halbert, will compete again this year as well as San Diego High School with CCTE teacher, Brian Murphy; and Scripps Ranch High School with CCTE teacher, Kimberly Coelho.

The San Diego High team has a member, Emily Rodriquez, who participated in the Teen Iron Chef competition last year. She is looking forward to this year's competition. "Teen Iron Chef was a lot of fun. It was a great way to help us think on our feet and experience the heat of the kitchen during a fast paced competition," comments Emily.

To keep the competition fresh and to not give any team an advantage, the competition location is changed every year along with the secret ingredient. Some of the secret ingredients from previous years include calamari, brie, balsamic vinegar, prosciutto, cantaloupe and tofu. Many of the schools hold mock competitions in the week leading up the event in order to select the students for the team or practice the nuts and bolts of the competition.

The event is supported by the San Diego County Chapter of the California Restaurant Association. This year's judges include Ed Powers (Chili's), Ken Irvine (Bleu Boheme), Durwin Daniels (Fish Market), Jon Weber (Cowboy Star), Bernard Guillas (Marine Room)

The Culinary Arts and Management course in the San Diego Unified School District is supported by the Office of College, Career & Technical Education.
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Jack Brandais | Communications Department | San Diego Unified School District | (619) 725-5570 (Desk) | (619) 607-0477 (Cell)
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