PHS Cooks Found Fun at Greenbrier Feast: Though They Did Not Win Cup, Chefs Learned From Food

By Kathy Plum, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Mar. 15–KINGWOOD — Preston High’s team of student chefs didn’t bring home the Hospitality Cup from last week’s competition at the Greenbrier, but they learned a lot and had fun. “They said our kids did really well for the first time” competing, said Tami Johnston, food services teacher at Preston High. “We feel like winners just getting to go.” Jane Dittman, hospitality training specialist with the West Virginia Department of Education, agreed. “For their first time, they did really well,” Dittman said. Preston senior Josh Darnell and juniors Brandy Dixon, Cody Wilt and Faith Wright, along with alternates Mikaila Strawser and Courtney Price, stayed at the Greenbrier Resort last weekend and competed in the contest. They also got to tour the famed facility’s kitchen, something not even their instructors were invited along for. “It was just a great experience for the kids,” Johnston said. “We had fun, and we had a wonderful dinner. It took us three hours to eat dinner. We tried all kinds of foods.” Preston High’s team was among 13 that competed in the statewide Hospitality Cup contest. Each team had to prepare an appetizer, entree and dessert for the judges, without using any electric or battery powered appliances. Johnston said they had a small problem with their dessert dish, the chocolate butterfly. The one that was put on display fell apart, but the one served to the judges held together. This is the fifth year the contest has been sponsored by the West Virginia Office of Hospitality Education and Training. First-, secondand third-place teams receive scholarships. First-place teams will represent the state at the national competition in Charlotte, N.C., in April.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

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