High School Student Teams Compete in Culinary Challenge at Escoffier Austin Campus
AUSTIN, Texas, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mystery ingredients, precise timing, and coordinated teamwork took the spotlight recently as 38 high school teams from across the state of Texas competed in the 11th annual “Young Escoffier” culinary competition at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Austin, Texas. More than 400 guests attended the event, where four-person student teams were given 60 minutes to prepare and plate a dish using ingredients from a mystery basket. Teams traveled from as far as Wichita Falls and Corpus Christi to compete.
Judging was divided into two segments: floor judges evaluated safety, sanitation, preparation, and organization, while tasting room judges assessed each team’s dish based on taste, plating, use of color, proper cooking, and technique. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts chef instructors and a graduate served as judges for the event.
Top honors went to: 1st place – Georgetown ISD – Culinary Future (Team #2). Each team member received a knife kit, medal and a $3,000 scholarship to apply toward a culinary education at Escoffier.
2nd place – Smithville High School (Team #1).
Each team member received a knife kit, medal and a $2,000 scholarship to apply toward a culinary education at Escoffier.
3rd place – Hutto High School (Team #2). Each team member received a pair of Chef knives, a medal and a $1,500 scholarship to apply toward a culinary education at Escoffier.
All participants earned a $500 scholarship. The winners were awarded scholarships totaling more than $30,000.
