The weekend before spring break began, the LSHS Culinary Team drove to a competition in Coos Bay. It’s purpose was not only to win scholarships, but also to compete and cook together. These student chefs  had to create their own versions of chicken pot pie and a lemon meringue pie. Senior Gabriella Watts won 2nd Place, winning a $3,000 scholarship to OCCI culinary school.

“I was severely shocked [when I got 2nd place]. It took me thirty seconds to actually stand up after they called me, and it took me a few days to realize I won second place because I have never won anything in my life,” Watts said.

Watts created her own interpretation of chicken pot pie, taking its ingredients and placing them inside dumplings, and deep frying them until crispy.. For the dessert, Watts made lemon mousse, and layered it with raspberries, vanilla wafers, and raspberry meringue.

“My favorite part [about the competition] was being in the kitchen and cooking and just using my senses to create the dishes,” Watts said.

Watts plans to pursue a career where cooking will be a focus.

“I’m gonna be a culinary teacher to teach kids how to cook and take them on their own culinary competitions, and maybe I will make a cookbook,” Watts said.

Cooking takes a lot of discipline, practice, and expertise, and Watts has proven not to disappoint in any of those areas.