American Senior High School’s culinary students impressed judges with their creations at The Education Fund’s annual Taste of Education contest and took home three prizes. The young chefs were among culinary programs from Miami-Dade County Public Schools that competed Feb. 24 at Hialeah Park Casino. Professional chefs judged the work and guests chose their favorite dishes by leaving tickets on schools’ tables. Students had to prepare and present their dishes, explain their techniques and why they chose certain flavors. American Senior High’s braised short rib with miso mashed potatoes won the meat category.
Culinary Club President Seanwal Estevez, 18, said, “It felt great…it’s not just my win, it’s our entire school’s win.” American Senior High didn’t win in 2025. “We wanted to come back this year and show up and show out,” Estevez said. They also won the sales pitch award for working the room, and the visual award for presentation of their short ribs.
Culinary teacher Dwight Barnes said he encouraged the kids to be different and creative.
“That’s the inspiration of becoming a chef,” Barnes said. “It’s like an artist. You want to have fresh ideas.”
Lawton Chiles Middle School’s culinary program is only two years old. They competed for the first time and won the fish category. Under the direction of Yania Ramirez, the team put together a ceviche with scallop and mango in a crispy shell, which won them the fish category. The team designed the menu, which Ramirez said was something tropical and light.
“It has the flavor of Miami: the mango, the lime, the scallop,” Ramirez said. The eighth graders presented their dish to guests and walked through the crowd to hand out samples. The competition helps students explore career options that may go beyond working in a professional kitchen.
“There are so many different avenues they could work,” Ramirez said. “Hospitality, writing books or recipes, reviewing things…it’s not just cooking.”
The Education Fund is based in Miami Lakes. Sponsors for the Taste of Education contest included The Graham Companies; Lynn & Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation; Hialeah Park; Assurant; Career Source South Florida; Sysco; All Florida Paper; TD Bank; World Kinect; EdFed; FPL; Bradesco Bank; Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau; Wells Fargo; Humana Foundation; Kaufman Rossin CPA + Advisors; Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.; South Florida Business Journal; Regions Bank; Fortec, the Leader in Early Education Development & Investment; Pepsi; Biscayne Bay Brewing; Terrazas de los Andes; Bolay Kitchen; Miami Dade College; Cafe La Llave; Fresh Point; Culinary Convenience and FOH Worldwide. For more information go to EducationFund.Org.
Photos: Alexandra Herrera.