Oak Lawn Students Challenged By Military To Create Dishes Using Meals-Ready-To-Eat

OAK LAWN, IL — Like an episode out of “Beat Bobby Flay,” OLCHS students in Janice Balthazor’s culinary arts 1 and baking and pastry classes participated in Cooks and Camo, a competition-style event sponsored by the Illinois National Guard.

Sgts. Pasillas, Melvin and Conterras from the Illinois National Guard dropped by Oak Lawn Community High School to challenge the culinary students to create dishes using MREs.

The sergeants shared a variety of MREs with the students. Participants had to plan an entrée and a desert using the MRE bag they received, while buying no more than $5 worth of additional ingredients.

The entries were judged based on creativity/skill level, taste, presentation, planning, time management and safety/sanitation.

Culinary students Haydee Manriquez and Nataavia Suvada-Neniskis said they were up to the challenge.

“We were able to test our creativity with the limited time and ingredients given to us. We were able to collaborate and work together to create something we were proud of. This gave us the opportunity to participate and try something different while educating us about the lifestyle of the members of the military while they’re in the field.”