Faculty wins cook-off at Elk Grove High School

ProStart Culinary Arts students faced off against faculty and staff Thursday during the inaugural "ProStart vs. Faculty Cook-off" at Elk Grove High School.

Four staff member teams with two assistants (sous chefs) competed against two student teams in a cooking challenge similar to popular cooking shows like "Chopped" on the Food Network.

The competition is part of a yearlong course.

"What this course does is prepare kids by special events such as this, along with catering events throughout the school year, and (making) box lunches for staff," said Associate Principal Kyle Burritt. "It's to show the business side of the food and hospitality industry."

The six teams had 45 minutes to prepare their dishes using three surprise ingredients and a meat, a vegetable and a starch, plate it and present it to a panel of judges, who evaluated taste, creativity and use of the mystery ingredients.

The judging panel consisted of Angela Delmark, executive chef, Seasons 52, Schaumburg, Elk Grove High School Principal Paul Kelly, cafeteria Manager Kathy Benn and Tasty Catering Director of Sales Tony Sansone.

"We're very excited to be a part of the Elk Grove High School cooking competition." said Angela Delmark, executive chef of Seasons 52 in Schaumburg. "We donated lots of food for them so they could have an abundance and variety of different things to cook with. We love being a part of the community, and are glad to be doing this for them."