West Seattle High School students cook up a win at ProStart

(Photo courtesy WSHS; from left, Latisha Evans, Kirby Davis, and Johnny Le)
West Seattle High School principal Ruth Medsker is beaming about her students who are just back from the Washington Restaurant Association‘s ProStart Invitational statewide competition in Spokane last weekend:

West Seattle High School’s culinary team ROCKED Pro Start State this year. Our team of three, won the “BEST ENTREE AWARD” out of seventeen competing teams from across Washington State. This is a proud accomplishment. Students received a $500 scholarship to The Art Institute of Seattle, a Certificate of Achievement and a chef’s knife along with the “BEST ENTREE AWARD” honor.

The WRA has photo galleries up for all the schools in the competition – here’s the Flickr gallery with their WSHS photos:

ADDED 3:32 PM: Teacher Sarah Orton has shared a news release with more information – including what the winners cooked! After the jump …

Last weekend at the 2011 Boyd Coffee ProStart Invitational, the West Seattle High School Pro Start culinary team took home a First Place ranking in the Entrée category. The Washington Restaurant Association’s state culinary competition was at the Mirabeau Park Hotel in the Spokane Valley, March 19, 2011.

The team had one hour and two butane burners—using no electric or battery operated equipment—to complete two identical starter, entrée, and dessert combination meals. West Seattle’s menu included: Starter, Sea Scallops with cucumber and cherry tomato with a gastrique of rice wine vinegar; Entrée, Almond crusted Petrale Sole with baby bok choy, rice pilaf, and mango salsa; Dessert, Molten Chocolate Cake with Chinese-five-spice and ginger-chantilly cream. The winning recipe was the main entrée.

Latisha Evans, Kirby Davis and Johnny Le made up the 2011 culinary team representing West Seattle this year. Their success can be attributed to two chef mentors; Quinton Stewart, executive chef at Branzino in downtown Seattle, and Robin Leventhal of Stopsky’s Delicatessen on Mercer Island. The Pro Start class is offered at West Seattle High School and is taught by Sarah Orton and Danielle Henry.

Tish Hesse March 22, 2011 (1:24 pm)

Congrats and good luck in your culinary careers!

sonya March 22, 2011 (2:16 pm)

Congrats!!!

onceachef March 22, 2011 (3:18 pm)

It’s a tough biz but you’re off to a good start…congratulations! What was the entree?

WSB March 22, 2011 (3:32 pm)

Almond-encrusted sole – I’m about to add more details from WSHS with all the ingredients included :) – TR

Paula Tortorice March 22, 2011 (3:34 pm)

Congratulations to these students. We at WSHS are very proud of you indeed! :)

AJP March 22, 2011 (3:36 pm)

Fillet of sole, baby, is my favorite dish! Fillet of sole, baby, when the dish is fish!!!

Congrats!!

Jen March 22, 2011 (4:12 pm)

Congratulations … the menu sounds wonderful!!

Lorelee March 22, 2011 (4:30 pm)

Every high school student should have cooking skills… Although these are exceptional! Does WShS require a cooking skills class? Essential for good nutrition… And easy on the budget!