Lake Region High Culinary Students Advance to Finals of Universal Orlando Competition
A team of students from Lake Region High’s culinary academy have made it to the finals of a Universal Orlando cooking competition.
The LRHS trio — Kiera Murphy-Hargadine, Joanyeliz Rodriguez and Victoria Somoza — were one of 14 student teams that entered the new Universal Orlando contest this year. Each team was tasked with creating a tasty handheld treat, and ultimately the winning recipe will be sold at one of Universal Orlando’s properties (the winning school will receive a cash prize).
Corrine Hart, who leads the culinary academy at LRHS, said she and her students came up with a shrimp and guacamole puff. Last month they advanced to the semifinal round of the Universal competition, where they had to reproduce the recipe from start to finish, plate it, and present it to judges.
Now, the LRHS squad is one of three teams headed to the final round of the competition next Tuesday at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management in Orlando. They were recently visited by a Universal camera crew and chefs (pictured) as they prepare for their big day.
“I feel pure pride and joy,” Hart said. “I’m beyond proud of them and everything they’ve done to make it as far as they have. They literally made me cry the day we were there for the semifinals. It’s incredible.”
Update (March 7): THEY WON!
