After her success in the regional competition, Edmondson Westside High School culinary student Dominique Grimes was invited to attend the National NAACP ACT-SO culinary competition. Edmondson's culinary students have been deeply involved in the Farm's programs. To show our appreciation and encouragement, Friends of Great Kids Farm partially sponosored her trip. In an interview with Friends' Executive Director Chrissa Carlson, she shares her thoughts from the trip.
CC: What dishes did you prepare in the competition?
DG: For my starter I had an Asian noodle salad with chicken skewers with an Asian orange reduction and mesclun greens drizzled with the same Asian orange reduction. For my entrée I had a baked teriyaki chicken with a housemade teriyaki sauce with basmati rice with sautéed red peppers and wilted ppinach.
CC: Sounds delicious! What was the most exciting part of your trip?
DG: The most exciting part about the trip was flying because it was my first time. Also meeting new people that have the same passion as I do, and the experience to travel some place I've never been before.
CC: What was the most challenging part of the trip?
DG: The most challenging part of the trip I would say was the time difference, it was a 3 hour difference from Baltimore and I had to get use to it!
CC: What are your plans for after graduation? Did this competition change or influence your goals and your plans for reaching them?
DG: My plan for after graduation is to go to college for cooking to learn more about the cooking industry. I would say this competition influenced my goals and plans. My experience at the ACT-SO competition will help me in pursuing my dream to become a chef and to one day own my own restaurant. It made me think that I should never give up on my dream keep trying no matter what happens; you may fall but you just have to get back up.