Northwest Career & Technical Academy students showcase culinary skills

MOUNT VERNON - Small bites of food and miniature drinks from different countries were served Thursday during the Northwest Career & Technical Academy's Kitchen Wars.

"I love it. Events here are so much fun," said academy student Samantha Fraser, a Sedro-Woolley High School senior.

The academy partners with local high schools to provide free technical and professional education.

In Kitchen Wars, students from Culinary Arts, Money & Business, and the newest program, Baking & Pastry, demonstrated the skills they learned this year.

"This is just a really fun way to bring a lot of our programs together," said academy Director Lynette Brower. "And of course, the community always comes around food."

Each student team provided a dish and beverage, and promoted itself with a student-designed logo.

One team, Pork-eh, featured Southern United States-inspired fare, including sweet tea, pulled pork sliders and coleslaw.

Pork-eh member Abdias Tellez of Burlington-Edison High School said the team's menu came from a craving for barbecue.

Brayden Meyer, from Mount Vernon High School, described serving food as stressful but rewarding.

The event sold out, and included those of all ages. Attendees could vote for their favorite Kitchen Wars team.

In addition, merchandise featuring the teams' logos was available for sale.

"NCTA is a good school. It helps a lot. It really changes people and helps them be on the path they really want to be on," said student Fernando de la Cruz, a Mount Vernon High School senior.

For more information about the Northwest Career & Technical Academy, visit nwtech.k12.wa.us.

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