Bend High School’s ProStart program edged out the competition and emerged as winners of the 2007 Junior Iron Chef of Oregon culinary competition at The Bite of Oregon festival on August 12th. They competed against three other teams from around the state. The students took center stage at the 2007 Bite of Oregon Junior Iron Chef of Oregon competition in downtown Portland at Waterfront Park at the SYSCO Chef Stage.

The teams, who were the 1st-4th place winners at the state ProStart culinary championships back in February, were invited to a friendly rematch for this competition, which allowed students a great deal of flexibility as they were allowed to cook without a prepared menu, Iron Chef-style.

Two pre-qualifying rounds for the four teams tested student grit and skill as they grappled with a secret protein that was not revealed until the competition began. The winners of the early rounds advanced to the finals, which ended up pitting Bend High School versus Willamette High School from Eugene.

Taft High School from Lincoln City and South Salem High School also competed in the event and while they didn’t come home with a title, sponsors, spectators and teachers alike felt like all students were winners for having such a phenomenal culinary experience. Students especially liked having the attention of the crowd focused on the competition –but one wouldn’t know it because each student focused solely on the task at hand, rather than the intent gaze of the spectators.

Throughout the day, hundreds of Bite of Oregon fairgoers stopped and watched the students battle it out as they sought to produce three identical entrees for the judges in an hour.

Judges presiding over the event included Bobbie McDonald of SYSCO Food Services of Portland, John Newman of Newman’s at 988 (Cannon Beach), Mike Cooper of Deschutes Brewery (Bend), Merlyn Baker of Foley’s Station (LaGrande), Janette Kaden of Tin Shed Garden Café (Portland), Brian Wilke of the Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland), Matthew Moulder of Blue Fish Bistro (Bend) and Trudy Kramer of Kramer Vineyards (Yamhill).

Many thanks to Leigh Ann Hieronymus of Fred Meyer and the “Fresh Ideas from Leigh Ann” segments broadcast on KOIN-TV, and Chef Mark Bernetich of SYSCO who helped provide commentary to the competition, and also NW Natural and SYSCO for sponsoring this event.