This week our own Executive Chef, Captain Ness, was honoured to participate as a judge in the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) Technological Skills Challenge. Held at Niagara College Niagara-on-the-Lake campus 10 aspiring chefs from the secondary schools across Niagara Region were challenged to produce a full meal within a specified amount of time.  

Capt Ness was one of six judges, three to judge the meals on taste and three to judge sanitation, organization and product utilization, and preparation and technical skills. Chef Ness observed and judged each of the competitors on production and technical skills as they created a menu of Minestrone soup, hamburger with tossed salad which must contain a mayonnaise and an emulsified French dressing and a

Brownie for dessert.

“It was a very impressive day,” said Capt Ness. “The students all handled their tasks as expected.

There was some incredible young talent.”

Along with Capt Ness, former RLA cook Kymm Moore was one of the tasting judges and long-time cook (and staff’s favourite baker) Amanda Flintoff was the second chair who helped organize the skills competition.

Capt Ness said it truly was a great day, he was proud to represent RLA in the community, and the students handled themselves very well considering the amount of stress that they must have been under.

The competition is part of Skills Ontario’s technological skills competitions to provide opportunities for youth to explore and develop skills for careers in skilled trades and technologies.  Winners at board level competitions move on to the provincial competition.