Some Pinellas County students have the chance to win some big scholarship money for college, but it all depends on their skills in the kitchen.

"I started when I was younger — cooking in the kitchen with my mom, and so I fell in love with it ever since," said Sarah Wells, a culinary student at Tarpon Springs High School.

The love for cooking brought Wells and six other students to the Tarpon Springs High School Jacobson Culinary Arts Academy on Saturday.

The students were able to choose their own protein for the competition, but the rest — including the seasonings — were all surprises.

"I was praying they had something I could use," said Jasiree Waters, of Tarpon Springs High School. "When I saw asparagus, I was like thank God."

Each student is a recipient of the Ryan Wells Foundation Scholarship. The Ryan Wells Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was started in 2005

"It's a challenging competition," said Ashley Giasone, executive director of the Ryan Wells Foundation. "I would be super nervous to compete myself, but so far, they've put out some amazing product. Let's just hope the taste backs that up."

Executive chefs from the area judged each dish. Regardless of the score, though, the experience will be something students won't soon forget.

"I didn't know what they were going to throw at me, but I was ready for this day," Wells said.

The overall winner will walk away with at least $6,500 in scholarship money. The winner will be announced at the Pinellas Education Foundation's "Walker's Rising Stars" awards ceremony, which will be held May 5, at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg.