A recipe for success

East Winnipeg

West End

A group of culinary students from Gordon Bell High School recently showcased their culinary skills on the national stage.

According to a Winnipeg School Division news release, Gordon Bell High School’s Kitchen Brigade team was recently crowned national champions at the La Tablée des Chefs Canadian Culinary Competition in Montreal, Que.

Officials say the team had the chance to compete against the best student chefs in the country, impressing the judges with its creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, earning the title of Canada’s Best Brigade. Even more impressive was the fact the West End-based students were the first team outside of Quebec to win the national title in 13 years.

The winning team was made up of Grade 10 and 11 students Avery Van Solkema, Sebastian Salter, Cailyn Olshevski, Yevhen Zinchenco, and Matea Thiessen Unger, who learned under the guidance of local chef/trainer Patrick Royandoyan, and human ecology teacher Benita Luey Goertzen.

“I teach recipes and food lessons to kids, and help them cook fully independently,” Royandoyan said recently, noting he’s proud of the students and their achievements.

“This is a big achievement for everyone involved. It really is a big deal, and it will be the start of even bigger things in Manitoba.”

Grade 10 student Zinchenco, 15, said part of the secret of the team’s success is “a great team effort and spirit.”

“It’s nice cooking around friends,” Zinchenco said. “The program has taught me so much.”

Grade 10 student Van Solkema, 15, is also thrilled by the team’s recent success.

“It’s absolutely phenomenal,” Van Solkema said. “Gordon Bell isn’t necessarily a very competitive school, generally, so to win the competition feels amazing.”

Grade 10 student Thiessen Unger, 15, said to win the national competition was an incredible experience.

“It feels incredible. It’s really a great honour to participate in the competition, and to win it and then represent Canada has been amazing.”

Grade 11 student Olshevski, 17, said the win was all more sweeter because it was a shared experience.

“It feels really amazing to be able to work alongside the other students. I was honoured to be able to do this,” Olshevski said.

Luey Goertzen echoed Royandoyan’s pride when asked about the efforts of the students this school year.

“I’ve had the pleasure and opportunity of watching the students developing these skills beyond the classroom,” Luey Goertzen said, noting the Kitchen Brigade program focuses on things such as food security, food preparation, and culinary skills.

“To end the school year knowing these friendships have developed and how much they’ve gained in terms of their experience and skills makes them more spectacular human beings in the end.”

Winning the national crown meant the team then went to take part in the national finals in Montreal, where it placed second against a team from Paris, France.

“They placed second this past weekend (in the international competition). They did exceptionally well and held their own,” Luey Goertzen said.