- April 25, 2024
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Danielle Burton, left, supervises as Shey Droste, Cathie Zanella, Reagan Hamer, Lacey Kelly, and Shawn Brudey practice making their entry for the Gridiron Cooking Challenge. Photo by Jacque Estes
Lacey Kelly and Shawn Brudey work on their parts of the cooking process. Each student had specific duties. Photo by Jacque Estes
Shey Droste helps with prep work. Photo by Jacque Estes
Teacher Cathie Zanella and Shey Droste work through the cinnamon twist recipe. Photo by Jacque Estes
Lacey Kelly, Reagan Hamer, and Shawn Brudey practice preparing their entry for the third Gridiron Cooking Challenge on Saturday, May. 1. Photo by Jacque Estes
Cathie Zanella talks to Shey Droste, ReaganHamer, Lacey Kelly, and Shawn Brudey, about what to expect in the Gridiron Cooking Challenge during a practice cooking session on Monday, May 2. Photo by Jacque Estes
Shoulder to shoulder they stood, knives and grater at the ready, when Cathie Zanella told them to start cooking. They had one hour from start to finish. One hour to prepare veggie marinara twist and mozzarella meatballs over a three cheese ravioli, with cinnamon twists for dessert.
This was the fourth time the four, sixth-grade Bunnell Elementary students had stayed after school and made this meal in Zanella's classroom.
The preparation was choreographed, there was little room to move, just as it will be on Saturday, May 7 at the Jacksonville Jaguar's EverBank Field during the 2016 Gridiron Cooking Challenge. The competition is sponsored by the Florida Dairy Council and the NFL.
“You don't have much room, you have to work in tight quarters” Zanella emphasized. “You will have everything you need on the table, every team has the same things on their table.”
Zanella and teacher Danielle Burton, have taken two other teams to the competition.
“This is Gridiron three; we've been chosen every year, and we've won every year,” Zanella said.
Lacey Kelly and Shawn Brudey wiped away tears – they were grating and chopping onions – onions Shawn had pulled from the BES garden just moments before.
Reagan Hamer made little mozzarella balls, while Shey Droste helped with the prep work for the main course. Shey is in charge of the preparation of the cinnamon twists.
The students have an edge with Zanella and Burton on their team. While the teachers will not be able to assist during the actual competition, they can share past experiences – like where they have to go to wash their hands.
“Remember the bathrooms were down the hall last year,” Burton said.
“Down the hall” means precious time away from the cooking.
“We will be with you, but we won't be talking much to you, unless you ask a question – then we can give you a quick answer,” Zanella said.
The practice hasn't been limited to the after-school sessions.
"If you're at home – even if it's just a cutting thing – just practice. Just practice so you're flowing,” Zanella said.
The team, dressed in their “Fuel Up to Play” T-shirts, that represents the NFL side of the competition encouraging 60 minutes of exercise, every day.
https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/
They will be competing against three other schools in the Jacksonville Jaguar viewing area. Similar competitions are held at the Tampa Buccaneers Raymond James Stadium and Miami Dolphins New Miami Stadium. The winning school gets a $2,500 prize package, and last year the winning team was given mini iPads.
