Thrilling Food Competition in Williamsburg: Watch Students Showcase Culinary Skills!

WILLIAMSBURG — Students gathered with excitement on the morning of April 17 for New York Edge’s “Battle of the Basket” cooking competition. This event brings students from disadvantaged areas together to learn essential life skills through cooking.

“Food is a universal language,” said Shelby Conn, the director of STEM and food science at New York Edge. “No matter their background, food connects us all.”

New York Edge runs after-school programs that offer various activities, including STEM education and arts. The annual cooking competition features talented young chefs from elementary and middle schools participating in the Food Explorers program. This year, M.S. 302 and P.S. 121 schools in the Bronx took part, keeping students engaged during spring break.

The event took place in a vibrant space on North Sixth St., adorned with balloons and cooking equipment. Like the popular show “Chopped,” students had to work with mystery ingredients to create an entree and a dessert within strict time limits—60 minutes for the entree and 40 for the dessert.

Dishes were judged on taste, presentation, safety, and creativity by a panel that included Culinary Institute of America valedictorian Dave Westervelt, It’s Just Cake CEO Lori Nicholas, and Benjamin Loadholt, owner of Catering by Betrell’s Place. Conn mentioned the importance of teaching students to cook healthfully and safely with portable tools.

The competition isn’t just about cooking; it’s about teamwork and creativity. Students learn valuable skills like planning menus and working under pressure. “We want them to feel proud of their achievements,” Conn added, excitedly watching their progress.

A P.S. 121 student, Glensford Joseph, showcased his skills in the dessert round after supporting his teammates during the entree preparation. He enjoys creating dishes and learned much from watching his mother and participating in the Food Explorers program.

His team, 121X, won the competition with an inventive chickpea stir fry and minty deluxe dessert. Twins Jenna and Elizabeth, competing as Team Fusion, earned second place with garlic and lemon hummus and mint chocolate-covered strawberries. “We focused on teamwork and sportsmanship,” Jenna shared.

Conn reflected on the competition’s success, stating it was one of the best yet. With students learning through fun experiences, events like “Battle of the Basket” encourage creativity and collaboration. This fosters a community where young chefs can thrive, showcasing their culinary skills and expressing their creativity.

For more on New York Edge and its programs, visit their website at New York Edge.

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Ashlyn Beck,Community,Education,Food and Drink,Has teaser,New York Edge,Nonprofit,Premium,Premium Content