Four Frenship High School culinary students went head-to-head against 11 teams across the area in the Aramark Culinary Star Competition. The students competed by developing, preparing, and plating a delicious, nutritious, and creative vegetarian lunch recipe. They prepared stuffed red raider bell peppers (in honor of Texas Tech playing in the Independence Bowl), classic slaw, quinoa, and pico. After taking on the heat in the kitchen, the Frenship team earned second place and secured their spot at state. 

Maddison Painter, Solomon Vasquez, Rio Solis, and Simone Guttierez will be cooking up a storm at the State Competition in Houston on February 9, 2024. The contest consists of 17 teams from across the state whipping together a designated meal for a panel of judges. Competitors will use their time until the contest to improve, perfect, and know their preparation techniques inside out. The Frenship Team has a professional chef from the Doubletree Hotel who will be coaching the students for the competition. 

Delia McDaniel, one of the culinary teachers at FHS and the team’s sponsor, first heard about the competition from Ken Robinson, the Frenship Aramark General Manager. She announced the competition to her classes and asked students with a passion for cooking and food to think about joining. She stated that the team that came together is a culinary teacher's ‘Dream Team’. 

“They balance each other out,” said McDaniel. “Solomon is the one who calms them down because he hums when he is in his ‘culinary element’, Maddisen is the one who leads like a gentle giant and has a great sense of humor, Simone is the ‘Julia Child’ of the group, she studies her recipe till she knows it in her sleep and Rio, she is the ‘Bench Scraper’ of the group, she can take direction, use her knife skills like a pro and make sure the team has their ingredients.” 

This experience is completely new for the current Frenship culinary team. McDaniel stated that they were a bit anxious for the contests, but their mindset was, "we can do this, it's just cooking."  

McDaniel stated that this competition means more to her than winning or losing. "If I have shared my dream and my passion of Culinary by teaching students so they can develop a talent and they learn it, it doesn't matter if they are 1st or last, as long as they learned the skill and use it,” said McDaniel. “I am in constant prayer for all my students and have seen them develop in confidence, ability, talent, and heart.” 

Good luck at the state contest Tigers!