Practice, practice, practice - Practices begin

It’s like getting to Carnegie Hall. Winning any competition takes practice, practice, practice.

For high school juniors and seniors with crammed and jammed schedules, taking time to (again) dice another pound of carrots or potatoes demands real commitment.

“They have to have the passion and be willing to compete,” says Laurel Krinke, culinary arts teacher at Mountain View High School in Tucson.

“Our students are excellent. Even though it’s time consuming and there’s a lot of pressure.”

Tracey Fierros, chef at the luxurious Canyon Ranch spa and resort, led the Jan 15 group practice at Mountain View.

Thirty students participated, Ms. Krinke said, and “They did great. Tracey is really good in giving the kids helpful critiques, telling them what went right and what wasn't - and why.

"We don’t practice endlessly (in class). If they understand the competition, they know if they need more practice (on their own).”

Ms. Krinke’s students range from those who’ve “never really been in a kitchen” to those who are already working in the hospitality industry, a circumstance that she said allows for spirited give and take in the classroom.

“It’s fun watching the passion the kids develop, and to see it grow. It takes perseverance to be able to build in time and focus to be in this kind of intense competition.

“Intense – but fun.”