WEST ORANGE, NJ — The excitement is building for this year’s West Orange High School MasterChef competition, and there are still a few spaces remaining to come out and enjoy the evening while supporting the principal’s scholarship fund.
The five-judge panel for the competition will consist of WOHS culinary teacher Derrick Gagner, professional chef Jesse Jones, Carl Hawkins, Leslie Fleisher and Juan Landaverde, the owner of Don Juan’s Restaurant in West Orange. Five teams will compete for the top title.
These chefs will display their cutting edge culinary skills to create a three-course meal in one hour. To add an “Iron Chef” element, each team will have to incorporate a “secret ingredient” announced at the start of the competition in all dishes. As a special bonus, attendees will be entered into a raffle to be a named one of five “judge’s assistants” and be able to sample the meals and rate the teams.
Prior to the competition, doors open at 6 p.m. and the dinner buffet opens at 6:15 p.m. WOHS Principal Hayden Moore will serve as master of ceremonies.
Over the past three years, the event has raised approximately $15,000 for scholarships given to graduating seniors. Admission is charged. For reservations, contact Ann Cupo at Anncupo@verizon.net.
About the Author
