Student teams from Chiloquin, Bonanza, Lost River, Mazama, and Henley high schools are set to face off in an all-day cooking showdown this Friday, May 2 — all for a shiny trophy 
and the ultimate bragging rights of becoming KCSD’s first Iron Chefs.
The heat peaks at 4 p.m., when five local business leaders will serve as blind taste-test judges — sampling each dish without knowing which team prepared it. Then at 4:30 p.m., invited guests and ticket holders will enjoy a delicious dinner together.
Each team is coached by an educator and mentored by a local restaurant chef. The challenge? Create an appetizer using pork belly and an entrée using bone-in pork shoulder — plus two sides and a dessert, to serve 25 people.
Diamond S Meat Co. donated 250 pounds of pork, and KCSD is providing each team with a $300 food budget.
The event was organized by Superintendent Glen Szymoniak, Food Services Supervisor Jennifer Detwiler, and Farm to School Specialist Kekoa Taipin, who wanted to give students in culinary, agriculture, and food science programs a chance to showcase their skills in a real-world, community-centered competition.
Bonanza’s Team Bo-Licious: Ethan Schull, Dylan DeLonge, Ayla DeLonge, Lear Brown, and Cameron Trushell. Educator coach is Marie Kinney. Guest mentor chef is Ian Smith of RV Que Food Truck in Bonanza.
The Chiloquin Queens: Lee Dodd, Lain Holland, Jenna Aldred, Paige Smolinski, and Jessiann Hansen. Educator coach is Clyde Wilson. Guest mentor chef is Mike Zuccato of Zuc BBQ in Chiloquin
Mazama’s Team Las Vikings: Estafany Rios-Romero, Isabella Espinoza, Fatima Rios-Romero, Diamond Guzman, and Dalyla Garcia. Educator coach is Sergio Cisneros. Guest mentor chef is Rosa Cisneros of Sergio’s Mexican Restaurant.
The Hawaiian Hornets: Aspen Claymore, Brooklyn Martin, Gabi Pemble, Noah Williams, and Will Scott (not pictured). Educator coach is Meagan Coppo. Guest mentor chef is Shane Taipin of North Shore Hawaiian Plate Lunch in Klamath Falls.
The Lost River Raiders: Johanna Holmes, Anna Kliewer, Caelor Thompson, Preston Staebler, and Khieran Beeson (not pictured). Educator coach is Meghan Miller. Guest mentor chef is Angelia King of Ruby Ru Bakery.
