Eastside High School culinary students qualify for national career tech competition

Eastside High School’s culinary arts students are heading to a national competition after a strong showing at the state level. The team of three students, guided by teacher Laura Roe, earned their spots at the national Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) competition by excelling in culinary and baking categories at the state event held in Orlando.

Two students qualified in the Culinary Arts category, and a third student advanced in Baking and Pastry Arts. These achievements mark a significant milestone for the students, who are part of Eastside’s four-year Institute of Culinary Arts program. This program equips students with both classroom knowledge and hands-on experience in a commercial-grade kitchen, preparing them for careers in the food service industry or further culinary education.

“I’m really proud of how much they’ve improved in such a short amount of time,” said Roe. “They work really well together, and that teamwork will make a difference at the national level.”

The national FCCLA competition is scheduled to take place in Seattle, Washington, from June 29 to July 3, 2024. To help cover the travel expenses for the students and their chaperone, the culinary arts program is currently fundraising. Details on how to support the students' journey to Seattle can be found on Eastside High School’s website.