Young SJ Cook Scores Win, Prizes In Chef's Challenge

SAN JOSE, CA -- Matias Verapinto, 9, meets stress in stride when it comes to cooking.

First, he comes from a cooking family, with his grandmother leading the pack with her own restaurant in Peru. Then, there's his immediate family living under his roof. Between mom Aimee and sister Savanah, culinary skills are all a part of life in the household.

The Booksin Elementary School student took that grace under pressure attitude to ace the Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge, competing against 10 others in his San Jose Unified School District and winning first prize for his chilaquiles dish on Tuesday at Gunderson High School.

It was the first cooking contest he's taken part in, admitting to not have given much thought to it until it was time to register. The boy told Patch he was concerned he had a real match with one of the dishes (but didn't disclose which one.)

The youth were asked to cook their favorite healthy Mexican food recipes. Nailing his concoction, he rattled off the ensemble of ingredients including cilantro, tortilla chips, chili sauce and eggs -- sunny side up.

Mom Amy Garrett was beaming with pride.

"We made the dish over the last few weekends," she said, admitting to wanting to crack champagne because of her son's accomplishment. "I'll celebrate for him."

After all, sparkling wine pairs with everything.

For his win, the youngster scored a medal, master chef cookbook, pans and a $200 VISA gift card.

The boy moves on from the district's challenge as the "Top Chef" to be judged in the regional finals. From there, making the cut will allow the San Jose youngster to compete against five finalists in the national contest.

In its ninth year, the competition involved third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students nationwide competing by making healthy food choices while being creative in the kitchen. This year, 75 San Jose Unified School District students entered their favorite Mexican-inspired recipes.

Recipes were judged by a panel of seven judges on originality, healthy attributes, ease of preparation, kid appeal, plate presentation and use of featured ingredients, pitting 10 contestants in a live cook-off.

“Each year I am awed at the creativity and commitment of our students as they take part in the Future Chefs Challenge. Our students practice preparing their recipes for weeks prior to the event. When the final day arrives, they know exactly what to do and how to present their prepared dish like a professional chef,” San José Unified School District Superintendent Nancy Aldarran.

San Jose Unified joins 266 other school districts across the country hosting Future Chefs events.

“According to the American Heart Association, about one in every three American kids and teens is overweight or obese,” said Stephen Dunmore, Sodexo North America Schools chief executive officer. “This staggering statistic demonstrates why it is more important than ever to engage youth to become advocates for their own health.”

Sodexo represents the food service company that provides school lunches.

Other participants from San Jose Unified include:

• 2nd Place: Allie Ormsby/ 5th Grade/ Hacienda Elem./ Fiesta Bacon Guacamole
• 3rd Place: Claire O’Donnell/ 4th Grade/Booksin Elem./ Enchilada Pie
• 4th Place: Cassandra Lopez / 3rd Grade/Booksin Elem./ Torta de Chorizo
• 4th Place: Naylen Saito/ 3rd Grade/ Booksin Elem./ Nacho Average Tacos
• 4th Place: Joziah Suarez/3rd Grade/Carson Elem./ Deconstructed Taco Salad Bowl w/Plantain Chips
• 4th Place: Kate Routon/5th Grade/ Willow Glen Elem./ Shrimp Quesadilla with Mango Salsa
• 4th Place: Ava Heiser/ 3rd Grade/ Willow Glen Elem./ Taco Ring
• 4th Place: Sanika Mehta/ 4th Grade/Williams Elem./ Super Nacho Tacos
• 4th Place: Sophia Han/5th Grade/Williams Elem./ Mexican Pasta Salad

See also

• Gilroy Student Competes In Culinary Throwdown