LRHS Claims Victory in Universal Orlando Cooking Competition

Lake Region High' School’s (LRHS) culinary academy students have accomplished a remarkable feat by emerging as the winners of the highly competitive Universal Orlando Resort Handheld Competition. The LRHS trio, comprised of Kiera Murphy-Hargadine, Joanyeliz Rodriguez, and Victoria Somoza, stood out among the many student teams that participated in this year's prestigious contest. Their journey to victory consisted of three stages, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities.

In the initial stage, teams were required to email their entries for consideration, hoping to advance to the second stage. The LRHS team, guided by their skilled instructor Corrine Hart, submitted their outstanding recipe They were delighted to receive an invitation to the live in-person competition held at University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management in Orlando. Thrilled by their progress, the students continued to refine their dish, ensuring it met the highest culinary standards possible.
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Impressing the judges at the second stage, the LRHS squad secured their place in the third and final stage of the competition. They received the coveted invitation to the live in-person showdown held at Universal Orlando Resort. Thai proved a testament to their culinary prowess and innovation. The stakes were high, but the LRHS team's unwavering dedication and passion shone through, propelling them toward victory.

In the exhilarating final stage, the LRHS squad showcased their culinary skills and creativity. Competing against other talented teams, they presented their shrimp and guacamole puff with finesse and precision. The judges were captivated by the dish's flavors, presentation, and adherence to Universal Orlando Resort’s culinary standards. It was an intense competition, but the LRHS team's exceptional talent and hard work paid off as they emerged as the winners, claiming the title with well-deserved pride.

After successful advancement across all three stages of the competition, the LRHS team won the opportunity to have their handheld item featured at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal Orlando Resort. This remarkable achievement provides the team with a platform to showcase their culinary expertise to a wide audience and further solidifies their place among the culinary elite.

Corrine Hart, the esteemed leader of Lake Region High's culinary academy, expressed her overwhelming pride and joy in her students' remarkable achievements. "I feel pure pride and joy. I'm beyond proud of them and everything they've done to make it as far as they have. They literally made me cry the day we were there for the semifinals. It's incredible." Hart's unwavering support and guidance undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the students' success, fostering a nurturing environment for their culinary aspirations to flourish.

The victory in the Universal Orlando cooking competition not only brings well-deserved recognition to the LRHS culinary academy but also presents exciting opportunities. The team's winning handheld item will be featured at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at Universal Orlando Resort, allowing a wider audience to savor their delectable creation and experience their culinary talent firsthand.

The LRHS team's triumph in the Universal Orlando cooking competition serves as an inspiration to aspiring chefs and students nationwide. It showcases the transformative power of dedication, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The culinary world applauds Lake Region High's Culinary Academy for their exceptional achievement and eagerly anticipates the culinary feats these extraordinary young chefs will accomplish in the future.

Xavier.H.

I'm Xavier - a food enthusiast and full-time blogger,  theme park lover(especially Universal), and Halloween Horror Nights stan. It is because of my love for food that I hope to share these amazing adventures with other food lovers, like yourselves, who are just like me!