Willowbrook students compete in Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) culinary challenge, ‘Cooks and Camo’

On March 6, Willowbrook students who are enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher Amy Nowak’s Culinary Arts 3 - Catering class competed in a Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) culinary challenge called “Cooks and Camo.”

Staff Sgt. Robert Pelczarski, a local Illinois Army National Guard recruiter, shared a variety of MREs with students. Participants then had to plan an entrée and a dessert using the MRE bag they received, while buying no more than $5 worth of additional ingredients. The dishes were evaluated by Pelczarski, who judged the entries based on creativity/skill level, taste, presentation, planning, time management and safety/sanitation.

The winner of the contest was Willowbrook junior Jaydyn Turnquist.