PCTI Participates In NASA Astronaut Culinary Challenge

WAYNE, NJ - Students from Passaic County Technical Institute are hoping to spice things up for astronauts in space.

A team of students recently participated in the regional semifinals for the NASA Astronaut Culinary Challenge. Up until mid-March, 36 nationwide teams will cook space-ready dishes in front judges, in hopes of making it to the national competition in April.

Passaic County Technical Institute prepared Shakshuka, a traditional Israeli dish. The students faced off against Ulster Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), Council Rock High School South, North Montico Technical Career Center, and Windsor High School. Each team’s dish, which was designed to meet NASA’s theme of “Ethnic Entrees” was evaluated by a panel of judges made up of chefs and NASA representatives.

The cook-off challenge is part of NASA HUNCH, a program in which high school students compete against each other to solve real problems that space programs face. The winning school will have its dish added to the meal line-up that astronauts on board the International Space Station can choose from.

Ten finalists will be selected to participate in the final competition at NASA's Johnson Space Center.