Introducing the All-New Culinary Arts Competition

HAIL TO THE CHEFS!

ArtBreak 2019 is adding the CULINARY ARTS to the Caddo Parish Schools showcase of visual, literary and performance arts with an all-new “Chopped” style competition. Four high school chefs from the Caddo Career and Technology Center will face off against each other in a live competition Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., to produce three entrée plates from a “mystery box” of ingredients. When the judging starts, it will all boil down to taste, presentation and creativity. Don’t miss the chance to see who can measure up in this brand new showcase of culinary art.

The Shreveport Regional Arts Council thinks it’s about time that the creative expression of food be valued as a form of artistic expression in the same way that Impressionism and Haiku are regarded. After all, today’s conversations often center on the culinary masterpieces of Emeril, Anthony Bourdain and Wolfgang Puck in much the same way that they recall the great works of Van Gogh, Klimt and Chagall. Food and art are not separate crafts, but one is often an extension of the other.

ArtBreak 2019 brings four of the emerging culinary artists from the CCTC Culinary Program to the Shreveport Convention Center Saturday to throw down their spatulas and cook up a competitive storm as they open mystery boxes of ingredients and get cookin’. Joshua Plater and Devon Carter from Captain Shreve High School, Macayla Ramoz from Caddo Magnet High School and Camryn Ray from Northwood High School each hopes to be the last chef standing as they compete for coveted kitchen electronics and gadgets while judges from the local food industry taste and determine who takes home the bragging rights.

“Each year Shreveport Regional Arts Council continues to up the ante in bringing new and exciting opportunities for students to explore their passions,” said Dr. T. Lamar Goree, superintendent of Caddo Schools. “The Culinary Arts Competition does just that by pairing our students’ dynamic talents for creating incredible foods with an amazing platform to showcase their unique creations. I always think ArtBreak cannot get any better, and then SRAC and our students take it to the next level and wow us all. This competition promises to not only be full of delicious dishes, but also bring an immense sense of pride to each student competing.”

Marking the inaugural competition, eager young chefs from across Caddo Parish high schools will prepare an entrée with ingredients that remain a mystery to them until they arrive for the event. The unknown requires students to think on their feet in order to create something delectable within the allotted time.

“There’s no question our students are talented, capable and have the training they need to wow every judge and viewer alike,” said Victor Mainiero, executive director of school performance for Caddo Schools. “We are grateful to SRAC for investing in a competition which highlights a great career pathway opportunity available to students throughout our district. Culinary arts education is second to none in Caddo Parish with our highquality instructors and gifted students; and we are excited for the opportunity for our students to display their abilities in this great new event.

The ProStart Culinary Arts/Restaurant Manager course at the Caddo Career and Technology Center (CCTC) is a two-year program that brings students together from various Caddo Parish high schools to give them a head start into the world of foodservice and/or post secondary education in hospitality. It is a hands-on experience and practice in a full commercial kitchen, mentoring support from industry professionals and maybe even a little flair for the artistic as they pursue the delicious.

If you’ve got just a hint of the “culinary curious,” come out to ArtBreak to see which of these young CCTC chefs has the chops to bring home the bacon

Saturday, April 27

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

ArtBreak “Chopped”

STUDENT CONTESTANTS

Joshua Plater

Devon Carter

Captain Shreve High School

Macayla Ramoz

Caddo Magnet High School

Camryn Ray

Northwood High School