On Thursday and Friday, the Senior Foods classroom became a war zone as student chefs competed in North’s 10th Annual Iron Chef.  For 80 minutes, students raced against the clock to prepare a full course of dishes centered around the secret ingredient – apple juice.

Each period is judged by a panel of teachers and professional chefs.  One winning kitchen is chosen from each period.  The top three kitchens from each day will compete against the other winners and two teams of teachers in the coming weeks.

Mrs. Nyland has been running Iron Chef for the past ten years. “I love the way it has developed,” Nyland said.  “When we started it was just one secret ingredient and one period.” Now the competition has morphed into a “Iron Chef Throwndown,” pitting winning kitchens against two teacher teams decided in a similar manner.

The plating, or how a dish is presented on the plate, is a big aspect of the competition.  Not only does the dish have to taste good, but it has to look good too.  “Everything looked delicious,” said Mrs. McGowan of the English Department, who judged Block 5A.  “Then I took a bite out of each dish and each one lived up to its presentation.”  Ms. Vieria of the Language Department agreed, saying, “They all looked amazing and tasted even better.”

“There was such a variety.  It was difficult to choose a winner,” said English teacher Mrs. Brodeur about judging the Iron Chef for Block 5A.  That may be true, but it was the mac and cheese of the Purple Kitchen headed by Alex Goldfarb that won for the block.  They may be competing in the Iron Chef Throwndown against the other winners and teachers after school on May 15th.

Ms. Crist, North’s newest guidance councilor, participated in the first Iron Chef and was a member of the winning kitchen.