Harper College will be closed on Wednesday, February 12 in observance of Lincoln's Day.
The heat was on at Harper College as 150 high school culinary students from High School Districts 211 and 214 recently competed in a high-energy culinary showdown testing their creativity, teamwork and technical skills.
The competition, inspired by the format of the Chopped TV show, brought together students enrolled in Harper’s Dual Credit Culinary Arts Program. Working in teams, participants were challenged to create three tacos using either chicken or beef while incorporating a variety of pantry ingredients. With just 50 minutes on the clock, students raced against time to prepare, plate and present their dishes to a panel of judges, which included instructors and employees from Harper College’s Hospitality Management Program and instructional assistants from District 214.
The event was organized by Harper College, the Northwest Educational Council for Student Success (NECSS), the office of State Rep. Mary Beth Canty and career and technical education (CTE) leaders from participating school districts
“The Harper College Culinary Competition showcases the continued impact of regional collaboration in creating career opportunities for students,” said Dr. Avis Proctor, Harper College president. “By bringing together high school culinary arts students from multiple districts, the contest provides a dynamic, hands-on learning experience that goes beyond the classroom, giving students a taste of professional training. This event highlights the strength of our NECSS partnership with area high schools as we invigorate regional curriculum alignment for college and career readiness.”
The event featured three rotations, giving students a well-rounded experience beyond the kitchen. In addition to cooking, students participated in career exploration sessions led by Dr. Janette Roy, assistant professor and coordinator of Harper’s Hospitality Management Program, in which they learned about job opportunities, salary expectations and entrepreneurial paths in the culinary world. Students also had the chance to tour Harper’s state-of-the-art culinary facilities, gaining insight into the next steps in their education and career pathways.
A team from Palatine High School including Jassi Burns (from left), Ang Belpedio, Zoe Matias Calendar, Lailany Murillo and David Akeju won the District 211 title at the Harper College Culinary Competition.
After an intense morning of competition, the judges selected winning teams – one from each district – which demonstrated exceptional technique, flavor and presentation. District 211 winners were Zoe Matias Calendar, Lailany Murillo, David Akeju, Ang Belpedio and Jassi Burns from Palatine High School. District 214 winners were Makayla Lazzari, Maya Tavares, Reese Siegellak and Angie Bahena from Buffalo Grove High School. The winning students received custom trophies and culinary prizes, reinforcing their achievements and dedication to the field.
“I liked being in the action. It’s definitely not as chaotic as I expected it to be,” said Maya Tavares, one of the students from Buffalo Grove High School’s winning team. “I would enjoy continuing to do something like this in the future.”
A team from Buffalo Grove High School including Angie Bahena (from left), Makayla Lazzari, Maya Tavares and Reese Siegellak took home the District 214 trophies at the Harper College Culinary Competition.
Maya, a senior, plans to enroll in culinary courses in Harper College’s Hospitality Management program after graduation.
“I want to be a pastry chef because I prefer baking more over cooking,” she said. “It’s more relaxing. Being a chef like this, you have to do everything at once.”
She and her teammates credited the win to their communication skills and experience collaborating in their dual credit courses during the past two years.
Antonio Raimondi’s team from Conant High School didn’t take home any trophies, but the junior was excited about the experience. He enjoyed cooking in Harper’s culinary facilities, partly because he’s planning on attending the college after high school.
“I like touring the campus. I like the kind of ambiance of the kitchen itself. A lot of the staff was very helpful locating stuff,” Raimondi said. “It’s kind of interesting seeing so many kids that are kind of interested in the same stuff as you.”
Beyond the competition, students and educators alike valued the connections forged throughout the day. With the rise of CTE programs and the increased demand for skilled professionals in the culinary and hospitality industries, events like the Harper College Culinary Challenge play a crucial role in preparing students for future success.
The Dual Credit program is a partnership between Harper and high schools in districts 211, 214 and 220, which offers simultaneous high school and college credit for juniors and seniors. In 2024, 3,425 students participated in classes involving health care, fashion design, fire science and other career areas. What’s more, data show that students who were once enrolled in dual credit classes graduate with a Harper credential at a rate that is approximately 10% higher than non-dual credit students.
NECSS partners with local high schools, colleges and businesses to create career-ready pathways for students in a range of industries, including culinary arts, health care and STEM fields. By bridging the gap between education and industry, NECSS ensures that students graduate with valuable skills, experiences and credentials that set them apart in today’s competitive job market.
Learn more about Harper’s dual credit programs and the NECSS partnership.