Corner Element

2005 Lane County High School Culinary Competition

How do you like your Rack of Lamb?

Winning entrée from Willamette High Team #2:

Anderson Ranch Rack of Lamb with Blackberry-Anise Demi Glace, Bouquet of Marinated Spring Vegetables, and Greens in a Crispy Yukon Gold Potato Ribbon with Blackberry Vinaigrette
Willamette Team #2 Entree

The food is gone, the dishes are done, and the votes are in! The winners of the 3rd Annual Lane County High School Culinary Competition were presented with medallions, donated by the Oregon Sheep Commission, Monday May 2nd at the Lane Community College Center for Meeting and Learning.

Eleven teams of high school students, working with local professional chefs, prepared and presented entrées featuring rack of lamb and a dessert featuring locally grown hazelnuts. The lamb was donated by Reed Anderson, owner of Anderson Ranches. Judging was done by a panel of local celebrities and professionals in the culinary arts field. “It’s great to have local product used in the competition!” states Mark Wreath, Project Coordinator for the Lane ESD. “I make an effort to contact local companies for product donations and sponsorship to help with the event.”

Each team had 60 minutes to prepare, cook, and serve two taste plates and one show plate. Teams were judged on sanitation, knife skills, teamwork, presentation, and most importantly taste!

Dennis Nakata, Magic 94.5, began the awards banquet with recognition of:

Event Sponsors
Lane ESD, Comcast, Market of Choice, Anderson Ranches, Magic 94.5, LCC Hospitality Programs, KEZI News, and Oregon Hazelnut Marketing Group

Team Sponsors
Lane Workforce Partnership, Eugene Hilton, Kenco Foods, Glory Bee Foods, Dari-Mart, Valley River Inn, Farwest Steel, Twin Rivers Plumbing, R&R Travel, Chemeketa Community College

Event Judges
Reed Anderson (Anderson Ranches), Keith Ellis (Market of Choice), Pat Farr (Food for Lane County), Adam Bernstein (Adam’s Place/Luna), Erin Bruce (KEZI News), Dennis Nakata (Magic 94.5), Gary Rodgers (Shadow Hills C.C.), Paula Westgate (LCC), Dan Budd (Food for Lane County), and Patti Curfman (Patti Cakes)

Coach Chefs
Michael Thieme (Sweetwaters), Frank Beber (Shadow Hills C.C.), Rocky Maselli (Marché), Ron Schrodt (U of O), Brandon White (Stacey’s), Marni Furse, John Higby (Café Soriah), Doug Lang (U of O), Barbara Lowry (Market of Choice), Allen Peterson (Eugene C.C.), and Connie Kulick

Although each team was required to use the same main ingredients, each of the eleven entries was unique and had a different taste. After each team was recognized for their hard work and dedication, Erin Bruce of KEZI News announced the award winners.

Best Show Plate

Crow High School

  • Sammy Smets
  • Scott Johnson
  • Linda Molder
  • Danielle On
  • Kathy Davis (advisor)

3rd Place

Crow High School

  • Sammy Smets
  • Scott Johnson
  • Linda Molder
  • Danielle On
  • Kathy Davis (advisor)

2nd Place

Willamette High School Team #1

  • Dan Defoe
  • Chaz Lounsbury
  • Sara Dieckhoff
  • Tim Duncan
  • Martha Humphrey (advisor)

1st Place

Willamette High School Team #2

  • Jonathan Gunson
  • Ashley Church
  • Corey Randall
  • Krystle Kinports
  • Martha Humphrey (advisor)

Winning Entry

Entrée — Anderson Ranch Rack of Lamb with Blackberry-Anise Demi Glace, Bouquet of Marinated Spring Vegetables, and Greens in a Crispy Yukon Gold Potato Ribbon with Blackberry Vinaigrette

Dessert — Hazelnut Chocolate Cake layered with Raspberry Cheesecake in a Euphoria
Chocolate Lattice Teardrop, and Raspberry Coulis

For more information contact Mark Wreath at 461-8253 or mwreath@lesd.k12.or.us