KAS Graduation Day!

Written by Kitchen All Stars Intern Lauryn Woodruff

Do you remember when you graduated? My own graduation from college was just two weeks ago and the memory is still fresh in my mind. When I think of graduations, I think of long speeches, taking what seems like a million and one photos, and a sea of robes. The Kitchen All Stars graduation was nothing like that.

The Graduation was our big end of the year event and it was a blast! In order for everything to run smoothly our coordinators, volunteers, and students prepared all week. The day of the event we had volunteers running around the church preparing tables, hanging posters, and getting equipment ready for the evenings festivities. I was calm until my students started to arrive; we all wanted everything to run smoothly.

We had half of the students down stair in the kitchen cooking the food for an estimated 250 guests. They made Asian Orange Chicken, Coleslaw, Coco Bread, and Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins which were chosen as some of the favorite recipes of the year.

The rest of the students were grouped into seven teams for our Chef’s Challenge This would test the students’ skills they had acquired throughout the year.  They were to work as a team to create three original dishes to present to the guest judges with only one hour and 10 minutes to work. As a assistant to one of the teams, I can now say that I have experienced what I imagine the Food Network Iron Chefs feel during their competition; a mix of excited, internal chaos, and accomplishment.

(photo above - Team #3: 2nd Place Winners Che'f Challenge 2014)

Once the Chef’s Challenge began the mood of the room changed! There was so much energy all around from the adrenaline and excitemnet. Even I was getting worked up as my team raced against the clock. The end products were beyond incredible. The dishes were appetizing and I heard from the judges that they tasted delicious as well. Even good enough to be served at a restaurant. With all the craziness upstairs, I can only imagine the energy in the kitchen as our students completed the food to be served to their family and friends.

The students have learned so much this year and have come so far which was evident by the success of the graduation. It still has not hit me that Kitchen All Stars 2013-2014 has finished but all good things must come to an end. And with that I would like to congratulate all the students on their hard work, and dedication to the program.  I wish all the students success in their future. It has been a pleasure to cook and learn with all of you! I hope you have enjoyed the year as much as I have. 

Love, peace, & chicken grease

Lauryn