Beyond Cooking
Xo'chi Fogata Salad by Nikki Ruiz, Leuzinger High School, C-CAP Los Angeles
What a busy spring we’ve had so far at the Ann B. Zekauskas Family Foundation! As we’re now in the unofficial start of summer, we thought it was a good time to reflect on our winter and the second annual Beyond Cooking: The Ann B. Zekauskas Food Styling Competition for C-CAP.
Through our wonderful partnership with the Careers through Culinary Arts Program, this annual food styling competition launches in December each year, centers around a theme, and includes an accompanying curriculum. Last year, we asked students to style a homemade piece of cake to reflect their family heritage. This year, we tasked students with creating a healthy main-course salad to reflect their heritage. Once again, we offered cash prizes -- $2,000 to first prize; $1,500 to second prize; $1,000 to third prize; and $500 to a runner-up selected as a “people’s choice” award.
Throughout January and February, C-CAP provided tutorials to students on styling salads, including an incredible three-part series with Chef Olushola Wadley. Chef Ola expertly provided lessons on recipe development and food styling through the creation of three creative and beautiful dishes: Caesar Salad with a Twist; Prosperity Fruit Platter; and a Panzanella Cornbread Salad.
Entries were due at the end of February, and we announced the winners on Ann’s birthday, March 10:
· First Place: Nikki Ruiz, Xo'chi Fogata Salad - C-CAP Los Angeles
· Second Place: George Levi Lopez, Filipino Mango Salad - C-CAP DC
· Third Place: Bradley Torres, Yuma Breeze Salad - C-CAP Arizona
The People’s Choice went to Milton Hernandez, Eternal Summer Salad, C-CAP DC.
We were so impressed with the number and quality of entries received. It was a true joy to review them all and to be able to honor Ann’s legacy by celebrating these future culinary artists. Thanks to Tanya Steel and her team at C-CAP for this ongoing collaboration!
—Liz, John, and Suzy