Week One 2007 Continues

This has been a great week!  The student chefs are doing a wonderful job.  Tuesday was a long day with complex recipes, but they met the challenge. 

Yesterday we featured recipes from Rachael Ray:

• Cheddar Crusted Chicken with Smooshy Applesauce
• Potato Mash with Mix-ins
• Zuchini and Yellow Squash with Mustard Seeds
• Cranberry Cheesecake Squares (had to go with blueberries)

After the more complex recipes from Mario Batali, Wednesday was a breeze which was good because the students had to let me know what they wanted to cook for today.

Today is Iron Chef Atlanta Day where the students adapted recipes from the week to make them their own.  Yesterday afternoon each team presented their menu to me.  We won't have secret ingredients like Iron Chef, we'll have secret recipes. 

I was a little concerned that this might be too much work for the teams, but they seemed to have fun with the assignment and really worked together to come up with the menus.

Team Ben, Elise, Matt and Thomas

• Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon - appetizer
• Penne with Four Cheeses and Chicken
• Green and Gold Zucchini Parmesan
• Peach Raspberry Crumble

Team Abby, Claire, Gloria, Gracie and Hannah

• Tomato Crostini
• Farfelle with Four Cheeses and Panko Topping
• Shrimp and Scallops with a White Wine Lemon Sauce
• Plum Raspberry Tart

Team Adrienne, Ali and Imani

• Arugula Salad with Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp and Citrus Vinaigrette
• Stuffed Goat Cheese Balls with Sun Dried Tomatoes
• Zucchini Ribbon Salad
• Chocolate Bruschetta

 I do have two guest judges coming today : Virginia Willis and Elisa Gambino to judge on presentation, originality and taste.  This will be fun.  I'm leaving now for the class and will be back later.

The day is over and it was spectacular!  The winning team was Gracie, Gloria, Claire, Abby and Hannah and they are shown with their Plum Raspberry Tart and assistant Taki. 

The other two teams tied with the same number of points!

Team Elise, Thomas, Matt and Ben with their Penne with Four Cheeses and Chicken.

Team Imani, Adrienne and Ali with their Chocolate Bruschetta.

The judges in deep contemplation and deep enjoyment - Elisa Gambino and Virginia Willis.

Tomorrow we're cooking for guests, we will be cooking for 45 people.  The menu as chosen by the students:

• Salad with Warm Goat Cheese
• Penne with Four Cheeses and Chicken
• Applesauce
• Plum Raspberry Tart

It's off to cook dinner for us now and maybe have a glass or two of wine.  Jazzercise will have to wait for Saturday!