Mock competition - 3

Judging

Salads are first up.

Jill Smith offers a brief overview, saying, “I don’t see anyone here struggling with basics. When you hear everyone’s critique, you’ll know what’s wrong, and how to correct it.

“In the competitions, judges will pick up the plate, look from all angles. They’ll shake and tip the salad to see if it leaks at all.”

The salads are supposed to be dressed, and then the vegetables are strained into a

cheesecloth, and then a towel is used to soak out the last bit of liquids.

“You need to taste each dish all along the way,” Jill adds.

Paul picks up a salad and uses a tasting spoon for a small bite “I get a lot of oil from this.”

He moves to the next plate. “Cilantro. There needs to be more

of it.”

“I’d describe this as flat,” Jill says. “It needs to pop. Make sure you read the recipe and practice.”

“You need to get the taste back here,” she gestures to the back of her throat. “You have to be able to say it’s good – and I think this needs a little salt.”

“This one, though,” Paul says, “is perfect.” And Branden K., from Thunderbird High School, flashes a big grin.

On to omelets. “The judges will look for absolutely no browning,” Jill begins.

“The edges should be really clean, and when you roll the omelet out, there should be no egg left in the pan. Here –“ she picks up a plate and displays it – “this is the clean look you want, and inside,” as she begin to break into the omelet, she smiles a bit, “inside, it should be like a scramble, and creamy.”

Paul has been busy checking omelets and delivers a verdict. “I’d say these were all seconds away from perfect – and they all have good flavor!”