On Friday, May 30, Mount Saint Vincent University turned up the heat as it hosted CHOPPED: High School Edition, a high-energy culinary showdown where creativity, teamwork, and cooking chops were the main ingredients!
Teams of 2-5 high school students from across HRM rolled up their sleeves and brought their A-game to MSVU's professional-grade food labs. With guidance and encouragement from Nutrition students and faculty, participants dished out their best under pressure and had a blast doing it.
The event was cooked up by the Department of Applied Human Nutrition (AHN) as part of an exciting initiative to spotlight MSVU's Nutrition and Dietetics program and spark student interest in the ever-tasty world of food and health sciences.
Twenty-five students took part, representing Dartmouth High, École Secondaire du Sommet, and Charles P. Allen High School, all competing for the coveted title of Chopped Champion.
Armed with a mystery box of pre-selected ingredients, each team had to use at least 60% of the box's contents, with the freedom to freestyle the remaining 40%. But it wasn't just about flavor! Every dish needed a backstory, making storytelling just as important as seasoning.
Judging this culinary clash was a dream team of food and nutrition experts, including Adegoke Fadare, MLA for Clayton Park West and Ministerial Assistant for Service Efficiency in Nova Scotia, Judy Fraser Arsenault, retired AHN faculty and lab instructor, Heather Richards, Director at Chartwells and Jill Conrod, Registered Dietitian and Director of Products & Healthcare at Sperri/Novagevity. Dishes were evaluated on taste, creativity, aesthetics, presentation, and the story behind the plate.
The winners are
Third Place: Aulwene Llanes, Lia Afyouni and Mariana Martinez Caloca from Charles P. Allen High School wowed judges with their Spring Saladilla.
Second Place: Elynrose Arnoco and Mya Goulet from Dartmouth High wowed judges with their impressed with their Honey Sweet Pears.
First Place and CHOPPED Champs: Natasha Perfect, Ava Lyon, Skairy Vincent, Mackenzie Richard and Mwapé Kasongo from École Secondaire du Sommet stole the show with their incredible Tartine Énergie du Matin (Morning Energy Toast), a dish packed with flavor, flair, and a fantastic narrative.
A huge shoutout to our judges, volunteers and generous prize sponsors: Izzy's Bagels, KG Nail Tech, and Cove Soft Drinks. And of course, congratulations to all our talented participants. You brought the heat, and we can't wait to see where your culinary journeys take you next!
