Picture a creamy plate of mac and cheese with a hint of garlic, topped with perfectly browned bread crumbs. Now, imagine another cheesy dish, baked with sautéed onions and smoky bacon. Next, envision yet another delectable offering of textured pasta drenched in a blend of melted cheeses with just-right crispy edges. Finally, and most satisfying of all, visualize the beaming faces of the student chefs, proudly awaiting the judges’ decisions at the much-anticipated Mac and Cheese Throw-down, hosted by the Island Trees High
School Family and Consumer Science Department. And the winners are….everyone involved in this exciting culinary competition, including the students who prepared the fantastic recipes, the teachers who planned the exciting lessons, and the judges who sampled the savory dishes.
Ms. Rizzo, with the support of Mrs. Alhaverdian, included this project in an effort to promote student choice and voice, in addition to encouraging careful research and cooperative learning. Each group was charged with the responsibility of finding a desirable macaroni and cheese recipe to prepare for a panel of judges. In a couple of instances, students even brought in favorite recipes from home for the group to consider. Once the recipe was agreed upon by the group, they set out to create a winning dish.
On Friday, Jan. 17, the dishes were ready for judging and enjoying. Staff quickly stepped up to evaluate the entries on a set of criteria, including appearance, taste, and texture. After the winners were announced, the class enjoyed a sampling of the wonderful offerings.
Lessons learned? Hard work, collaboration, and research can make a community of learners bustle with the excitement of a little “healthy” competition.
— Submitted by Elizabeth Roemer, Administrator for Educational Programs, Literacy, and Staff Development
