Some Pasco County students are really cooking, and they have the honors to prove it.
The four Pasco County students who entered the Department of Agriculture's Student Chef Cook-Off won either first or second place in the regional finals, which were held Saturday in Tampa.
Land O' Lakes High School sophomore Kyler Roy won first place in the high school contest and was named the West/Central Region student chef ambassador.
The other winners are as follows:
Elementary Contestants
- 1st Place – Morgan Osmanson
5th Grade at Cotee River Elementary
Recipe – Peanut Butter Banana Rollups - 2nd Place – Emma Hubler
5th Grade at Denham Oaks Elementary
Recipe – Bacon Apple & Almond Lettuce Wrap
Middle School Contestant
- 2nd Place - Katerina Barnes
7th Grade at Paul R. Smith Middle
Recipe – Fru-taco
High School Contestant
- 1st Place – Kyler Roy
10th Grade at Land O’ Lakes High
Recipe – Dreamcicle Dessert
The competition was created as a way to find students who can promote "Fresh from Florida" recipes and products as student ambassadors. The students' recipes were judged on creativity, nutrition and appearance.
First place winners received $100 Publix gift certificates. Second place winners received $75 Publix gift certificates. All of the winners received a free Publix Aprons Cooking School class and an additional $50 gift certificate to cover travel and ingredient expenses.