High school chefs at the 6th annual Future Top Chef Competition at the Rockford Country Club

Culinary students from Harlem and Hononegah high schools competed at the Rockford Country Club in the 6th annual Future Top Chef Competition.

Students used their knowledge and displayed their skillsets while working in an industrial kitchen, making sauces, using a secret ingredient, and using grills and deep fryers. The bread used for the paninis were made ahead by students and brought in to use the day of the competition. In addition to the cooking experience, students learned about several components of the hospitality industry such as sales, inventory, mixology, and seasonal cooking ideas. 

They were helped and taught by Executive Chef Charles Daniels and Rockford Country Club Manager George Larson,  as well as industry guest speakers. Several students were interested in working at the country club and filled out applications.

When students finished plating their panini with their side, they presented it very professionally to the judges.

The 1st place winners was Team 2 Hononegah: Logan Osterberg, AJ DuFoe, Piper Korff and Mady Moulder. The Harlem Fry Cooks came in 2nd place: Alexandra Perez, Anthony Beggs, Tiara Vannatta and Faythe Tracey. In 3rd place was Team 1 Hononegah: Alysssa Anderson, Gavin King, Alondra Tessman, and Maura Brown.

The event is organized by Career Education Associates of North Central Illinois (CEANCI), a career delivery system for high school students in north central Illinois.

View more photos on CEANCI's Facebook page.

More News from Rockton

• Velvet Robot Coffee Lab is coming to town Grand opening in Roscoe, IL is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Photos: Hononegah's 2024 prom - "Our Last Summer" Hononegah High School students celebrated their 2024 prom on Saturday, April 20 at the Tebala Event Center.