KCC Hosts 2nd Annual Cooking Competition
May 1, 2023
On Wednesday April 26th, Wake Forest and Winston-Salem community members gathered together for the second annual Kids’ Cooking Coalition competition held at Cook Literacy Model School. Eight young chefs competed across two teams to impress four local celebrity judges. Cook Literacy Model School hosted the 2023 competition and has served as a KCC program site for the past five years.
The children displayed the culinary skills that they developed over the past two years participating in the Kids’ Cooking Coalition (KCC) program. Assisted by four Wake Forest University students, the children prepared a full meal representing culinary influence from the Mediterranean and from China. The participating children spent two weeks designing their menus and honing their skill before the day of the event. During the competition, the teams had three hours to make their own appetizer, main course with side and dessert. All of the cooking was from scratch.
The judges engaged with the children throughout the afternoon. They evaluated the children’s technique, teamwork and ultimately the overall taste. At 5 p.m., everyone gathered in the cafeteria for the final ceremony. The two teams presented their culinary creations in front of a room of family, friends, local media and special guests. The children displayed their knowledge through tough questions from the judges.
The competition was a culmination of two years of hard work. “The children did a wonderful job.” said Brad Shugoll, director of service and leadership, who oversees the KCC program. “All the kids are winners for their commitment to and excitement for cooking.”
The annual competition was developed by KCC program founder Margaret Savoca, Ph.D. The program aims to bring cooking into the lives of local children and meet children where they are in the community. Savoca stays actively involved as a volunteer leader and program advisor. She co-managed logistics for this year’s event and provided guidance to the winning team.
Upping the excitement were four local chefs and foodies who served as the judges. This year’s judges were Ashley Hardesty Armstrong (Forsyth Seafood), Crissy Faison (Lean Back Soul Food), Shanta Hauser Faison (Rosey Blooms Collard Greens/Twin City Catering Co.) and Cierra Palmer, the shared-use kitchen program manager with the S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation.
“The enthusiasm goes well beyond the kids themselves,” Savoca said. “From the administration’s support and the guidance from James [Staton], to the parents and families of kids, many people are involved. This level of commitment to the program tells us that this is successful.”
The program would not be possible without the partnership from Cook Literacy Model School, led by James Staton, as well as the support of the Reynolda Rotary Club and Goldberg Family Foundation.