Waubonsie Valley students compete in chili cook-off

A prizewinning chili recipe by Waubonsie Valley High School students required the usual spicy ingredients — and a pinch of swagger.

Team Swag won a chili cook-off Friday at the Aurora school for its white bean chili, laced with a Cajun-pepper kick, during a competition pitting two teams of four students each from international food classes.

As for that swagger, senior Connor Mersh, a member of the winning team, said his cooking isn’t just a life skill.

“Every girl likes a man that can cook,” Mersh said. “My mom always taught me that a man that can cook can steal a woman’s heart.”

Team Swag advanced to the chili cook-off after winning a pizza challenge. Members submitted a bacon cheeseburger concoction called the “heart attack” to a panel of teachers.

Team Royals also won the pizza competition and cooked a more traditional, red bean chili Friday.

Students and teachers — about 250 total — chose the chili winner, casting ballots between classes.

It was a chance for the teams to show off the skills they’ve learned, like pan-frying at the proper temperature, said Alison Miralgio, who teaches international foods classes.

“It gives them pride,” Miralgio said. “Their friends want to come in and see them cooking.”

The library media center hosted the cook-off as whiffs of zesty chili drifted down hallways. This month’s theme at the LMC is all about cooking, with books by celebrity chefs.

“Why not just use our own talent?” LMC Director Jeanette Quetel said of the student cook-off.

For their award, Team Swag won chef hats embroidered with black letters: “WV Top Chef.”

While she didn’t win the prize, sophomore Monica Kunovszky plans to continue adding unexpected flavors to recipes, like the steak-sauce in Team Royals’ chili.

“You can add your own flair,” she said.