This Teen's Got a Future in the Kitchen

Darryus Lowe is only a freshman but he is an award-winning chef already. 

The 15-year-old Land O’ Lakes High School culinary arts student is the winner in the 2013 Let’s Do Gourmet High School Recipe Challenge, which was held statewide.

His dish?

Pan-seared pork cutlets wrapped in prosciutto and served with braised Swiss chard, baby carrots, mashed yucca and tangy barbecue sauce.

Darryus said he was “surprised” he won, but is proud of his creation.

“I put it all together by scratch,” he said during a small award ceremony Friday, May 17 at the school.

Sponsored by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Education Foundation and Let’s Do Gourmet, LLC, the competiton was open to students throughout Florida enrolled in a school program using what's known as the ProStart curriculum.

Each student had to create a recipe consisting of a protein, a vegetable, and a starch, while also including the Let’s Do Gourmet Red Adobo spice into the protein.

Erik Youngs of Let’s Do Gourmet presented Darryus with some cookbooks and several bottles of spices. Youngs said Darryus’ dish was restaurant ready.

“The plating,” he said when asked what was special about the dish. “The presentation catches you out of the gate. The portion sizes are intact.”

Darryus also used the seasoning perfectly, making sure it provided enough flavor without being overpowering, Youngs added. 

How does Darryus feel about being an award winner?

“I really like it,” he said simply.

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