(pictured left to right): CTHS sophomore Kevin Garcia, junior Lilliana Fonseca, sophomore Luke Castillo, sophomore Celine Webster and Culinary Arts teacher Richard Crandall.
by Dwight Henson
PISD Communications
Four culinary arts students from CTHS will advance to the ProStart Invitation state competition in March at St. Phillips College in San Antonio, after placing fourth in the Houston regional qualifier.
The annual ProStart Invitation is the highest level of competition for high school culinary arts. The event is endorsed by the Texas Restaurant Association, the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation and the National Restaurant Association.
“This is the youngest and most driven group of students I have had the privilege of coaching," said Richard Crandall, CTHS culinary arts teacher. "They came together first as a team but have evolved into a family, and I could not be more proud of how their skills have evolved and grown beyond my imagination.”
Participating teams develop a unique fine-dining menu and professional business proposal. They then must execute their menu within 60 minutes, while only using two butane burners. In addition to being judged on their food's taste and appearance, they are graded on their proposal, menu, degree of difficulty, teamwork, knife skills, communication, safety and sanitation.
This year’s CTHS team is:
Kevin Garcia, sophomore
Lilliana Fonseca, junior
Luke Castillo, sophomore
Celine Webster, sophomore
CTHS sophomores Kevin Garcia and Luke Castillo prepare food at the ProStart Invitation regional qualifier.
Teams are judged on their food's taste and appearance, among other criteria.