2018 JJC Burger Competition
Jimmy R. (Somonauk) and Sean F. (Sandwich)
Jayla S. (Yorkville) and Riley O. (Paw Paw)
Jayla S. (Yorkville)
Olivia S. (Serena)
Riley O. (Paw Paw)
Uzziah R. (Serena)
Olivia S. (Serena) and Uzziah R. (Serena)
On November 14th, Joliet Junior College (JJC) hosted an annual burger competition. Five area culinary programs were invited to attend with 15 student teams. Indian Valley Vocational Center (IVVC) sent 3 teams of students who had earned their spots by beating out classmates at IVVC’s own Burger Challenge earlier in the year. Seven students from this school attended, while only six students participated because the other was the alternative competitor.
Four of the competitors (two teams) were from the AM class: Sean F. (Sandwich) and Jimmy R. (Somonauk), and Olivia S. (Serena) and Uzziah R. (Serena). Representing IVVC from the PM class were Ashley B. (Indian Creek), Riley O. (Paw Paw), and Jayla S. (Yorkville).
During the competition many students felt anxious and nervous. As soon as the competition started, and students started cooking their recipes in their teams of two, they started to feel a lot more comfortable in the intense environment.
IVVC is a two-year program and is offered only to juniors and seniors in high school. Two competing schools were not only bigger schools but offer more years of culinary classes, therefore they had more experienced students that go to competitions more often. Despite these challenges the IVVC students performed very well under pressure and each team produced excellent burgers. Students were able to taste each team’s creations and get to know people from other schools while the judges deliberated.
Two of the judges were corporate chefs from McDonalds. They gave excellent feedback and discussed their career path. Students could ask questions of all the judges about their journey in the restaurant industry.
There were only three trophies awarded at the competition. Although IVVC competitors did not place for a trophy, they all had a fun time and it was a good learning experience. Some of the judges commented on how professional the IVVC students were and that they already had excellent job skills.
All students felt great after the competition was over - all their nerves were gone and they enjoyed the day.
