The Texas High Culinary Arts Academy has once again bestowed its talent upon the taste buds of Texarkana. On Oct. 22, Texas High Culinary Students and instructors set up shop at the Four States Fairgrounds for the 31st annual Taste of Texarkana.
Third—and fourth-year students signed up before the event and began preparing a spread of various cuisines to be presented to the Texarkana population. This yearly event supports Harvest Texarkana, the northeast Texas regional food bank, and donates all of the proceeds to it.
“We participate in this every year to bring awareness to our local food banks and the mission that they have,” Executive Chef Cory House said. “The more vendors that are involved the more attendance they have, the more tickets they sell, the more money they raise, thus the better support they can provide our region and our community.”
Chef House explained the program’s motivation for entering in a cause-and-effect way, illuminating the crucial impact of each group’s entry. This fundraiser remained open to any restaurant, bakery, and culinary arts academies.
Texas High wasn’t the only school, however, alongside the Tigers stood Liberty Eylau and Texarkana College’s Culinary programs. All vendors prepared their best menu items to impress the large clientele and judges. Out of all vendors, Texas High received the Best In Show award, highlighting their food’s taste, presentation, and overall entry. This award impacted the program, students, and instructors alike.
“Winning Best In Show means [to our program] that we are putting our best foot forward in everything we do, even though it wasn’t for profit,” instructor Haley Dotson said. “[This award impacted me as a teacher in a way that] makes me want to do it again next year. I’m going to keep showing up with even better ideas and an even bigger drive to push our students further, because we know what potential they have.”
Third-year student, Darnell Hooper sees the culinary program as a prerequisite for his life in the future. He donates his time and ability to local homeless shelters during the holidays by preparing food.
“I like supporting people. I want to be a decent cook for my family when I do have one,” Hooper said. “I feel like winning Best in Show will make me work harder than I already do.”
Students who have participated in the program and attended multiple years in a row have seen the program and their skills grow firsthand. Senior Taliyah Gilmore, a fourth-year pupil, had the opportunity to experience the exhilarating announcement of the success of the program she holds close to her heart.
“Immediately, I was overjoyed for the culinary program,” Gilmore said. “Winning Best in Show means that we are growing and improving.”
The annual event, in partnership with local businesses and schools, raised over $60,000 to be used to support Harvest Texarkana Regional Food Bank.