Tomcats win at Burger Cook-OffTomcats win at Burger Cook-Off

On February 7, East High students enrolled in Restaurant Management class competed in the 2020 Burger Cook Off, hosted by Valley Education for Employment System (VALEES). The competition was held at the Joliet Junior College Culinary Center. Schools competing included East High, Geneva, Indian Valley Vocational Center, Oswego, and Oswego East. Students worked in pairs, and were required to make six identical burgers, and a side, with awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize given.

So how’d they do? Our Tomcats took both 1st and 3rd prize! Congratulations to 1st prize winners Daniela Herrera and Marshawn Wells, who created a “Jamaican Me Crazy Burger”—a gourmet burger infused with homemade spicy jerk seasoning, wrapped in jerk bacon then topped with sauteed mushrooms, bell peppers, onion and tomatoes, all served on homemade pretzel bun. The burger was served with a side of fresh cheese curds. And 3rd place winners Kayla Kavalauskas and Daniela Pineda created “Jala Burger”—seasoned ground beef patty stuffed with cheddar cheese, smothered in homemade barbecue sauce, sandwiched in between homemade jalapeno buns. Their side was fried pickle chips and sauce.  The students are taught by Ms. Kristin Doucette, East High F.A.C.S. Teacher. Way to go, Tomcats!