The South Florida Fair held their third annual baking/dessert competition on Thursday, January 23rd and the West Boca Culinary Academy was represented by two teams. Team one consisted of seniors Emily Leswing, Vasyl Hlynskyy, and Alexandra Spikes. Team two was our sophomore team debuting Adrian Menezes and Ethan Foreman in their first ever competition.

   Team one won the second annual baking/dessert competition held at the South Florida Fair the previous year with their chocolate mousse, homemade whipped cream, and tuile cookie spoon along with another team member Polina Sharova. This year they went for a repeat win and tastefully executed a Coconut Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta in a coconut bowl shell topped with Sauteed Caramel Pineapples, homemade whipped cream, a tuile cookie spiral straw, and a gold leaf accompanied by a fresh pineapple puree and edible flower.

   Team two efficiently planned and accomplished the baking of a delectable Apple Tarte Tatin topped with a puff pastry and served with Vanilla Bean Ice cream. Partnered with a powdered sugar and caramel border for their plating decorations The team utilized their skills to cook the sliced apples in caramel for an extra shot of flavor. For the team’s first year participating in a competition they set out to do their best so they can continue to grow in the future, aiming this first year for first place. 

   In the end with the two teams competing against not only other schools in the high school category; they were mostly competing against each other. Each member of the teams shared their knowledge, supplies, and support demonstrating the teamwork they are taught to exhibit everyday by West Boca’s head chef, Chef Michael Angnardo. Before the judging began Chef stated, “I love that students are willing to compete in a competition against other schools using their skills in an environment that is totally different from the school setting.”

   Finally, after an hour on the clock the judging began…

West Boca team one took home first place with their delicious Panna Cotta and West Boca team two took home second place with their tasty Tarte Tatin. The West Boca Culinary Academy has accomplished both first and second place for the second time in their competition history under the guidance of Chef Angnardo.