What is it similar to live on on the demo Hell's Kitchen? H5N1 dozen Reynolds culinary students lately industrial plant life out. The students joined Clemenza Caserta, a Richmond chef who appeared on this season's show, as well as Executive Mansion Chef Darren Rounds inwards a fast-paced, pressure level packed cooking competition.
“I sentiment nosotros were coming to assist prep nutrient for Chef Clemenza,” noted Mary Catherine Thompson. “We had no sentiment nosotros would larn a direct chances to laid upwards a dish for such a prestigious audience.”
Upon arriving inwards the Executive Mansion’s kitchen, Caserta as well as Rounds introduced themselves, speedily announced ingredients available as well as seat thirty minutes on the clock for the students to brand their best dish. Ingredients included local seasonal items including Virginia Rockfish, tomatoes, eggplant, basil as well as homemade mozzarella.
“We tried to ensure close of the ingredients are fresh as well as seasonal inwards Virginia, including the Rockfish,” said Rounds. “Many of the spices as well as vegetables the students are using were picked out of the garden nosotros hold hither at the Governor’s Mansion.”
Throughout the competition, Caserta as well as Rounds observed as well as gave valuable hands-on tips as well as feedback to the students. “It reminds me of when I was kickoff starting out inwards a kitchen,” noted Caserta equally he observed the students inwards pairs operate furiously throughout the tight quarters of the kitchen. “Watching their hunger, passion as well as inventiveness gets my juices flowing again. I honey it.”
Upon judging half dozen dishes, Caserta as well as Rounds proclaimed the winners were Robin Reeks as well as Stephanie Boehles, who served upwards pan-sheared Virginia Rockfish amongst summer-fruit salsa as well as eggplant parmesan.
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| Robin Reeks (L) as well as Stephanie Boehles amongst Chef Caserta |
“It was an incredible sense getting thrown inwards a province of affairs similar that amongst as well as then much pressure,” said Boehles. “Robin as well as I worked nifty equally a squad as well as only trusted each other.”
The winning squad was presented amongst Governor's Mansion china plates signed past times Caserta, Rounds as well as First Lady of Virginia Maureen McDonnell.
Additional photos tin live on industrial plant life on the College's Facebook site.