CEANCI announces “Future Top Chef” event

STATELINE – Career Education Associates of North Central Illinois (CEANCI) is proud to announce the first “Future Top Chef” event that occurred from Feb. 22 through Feb. 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at local McDonald’s stores.
Through a collaborative effort between CEANCI and the McDonald’s Corporation, students were provided a venue to demonstrate their culinary skills in a unique sandwich competition.
Under the supervision of McDonald’s crew members, school teams designed new sandwiches utilizing McDonald’s ingredients.
This year high school instructors and students in Culinary Arts programs at Harlem, Belvidere, Belvidere North, Byron and Hononegah signed up for the event.
The final product was judged by guest judges and crew members based on team organization, food production, food taste and presentation. A “Junior Chef Star” was crowned at each McDonald’s location.
CEANCI supports career and technical education programs that serve high school students in 15 area high schools.
CEANCI also supports professional development for CTE instructors, purchases equipment and technology, and collaborates with business and higher learning to streamline the ongoing development of the region workforce.
The competitions took place from Monday, Feb. 22 to Thursday, Feb. 25, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the following locations:
On Monday, Belvidere North High School competed at 6995 E. Riverside Blvd. in Rockford.
The Belvidere North High School winners were Alberto Barrientos and Samantha Gill with their creation of The Grilled Artisan Guacamole Pico de gallo Bacon Sandwich.
The other competitors from Belvidere North included: Ben Samples, Hope Linderberg, and Jackie Bays, who were prepped under the direction of Belvidere North culinary arts teacher Kathy Lovins.
On Tuesday, Hononegah High School competed at 5195 Elevator Road in Roscoe.
On Tuesday, Harlem High School competed at 10101 North 2nd St.in Rockford.
On Wednesday, Byron High School competed at 105 N. Union St. in Byron.
On Thursday, Belvidere High School competed at 240 W. Chrysler Dr. in Belvidere.
The winners of the Belvidere High School competition were Kalista Klikas and Jordan Fitch for their creation of the Abstract Burger which was a beef patty with crispy onions, maple bacon, and American cheese.
For any additional questions about this event, please contact Beth Mead, CEANCI Community Outreach Coordinator at (815) 921-1650 or email [email protected].