Baking up success

It wasn't the food that made 16-year-old Eric Rengel throw up (in the bathroom, thankfully) after the regional Skills USA cooking contest at Carson High School.

"I was really nervous," Rengel explained.

But it paid off. He found out Wednesday that he was one of the final four chosen to compete in April's state competition in Las Vegas.

Seven more students competed Wednesday in the baking portion of the contest and the top four will be named today.

"It's nerve wracking in that I really want to go to a culinary college," said senior Tim Millim, who competed in the contest. "This is an opportunity to do that, maybe get a scholarship."

As part of Tuesday's cooking contest, students had to prepare chicken cordon bleu, a vegetable and a pasta. For the baking competition, contestants had to make muffins, bread, pie crusts and cookies within three hours.

"It's a little stressful but it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be," said Krissy Rose, 17. "Once my bread gets done, it'll be smooth sailing from there."

The state competition will be similar to the regional one with a few additional requirements.

Culinary arts instructor Penny Reynolds expects her students will perform well at the state level this year. She developed the program at the high school four years ago and they began competing in the contest a year later.

The students have captured both second and third place but Reynolds is ready for a win.

"They better do good this year," she said. "I've had them for three years -- it's time for us to move up."

In addition to baking and cooking, students will also be required to compete in job interview, speech, quiz bowl and other contests.

Winners at the state level will advance to the national competition.

Sarah Field, 17, made it to the national competition last year in professional service.

"Nationals was absolutely incredible," she said. "It was one of the best things I've ever been to. If I got the opportunity, I'd love to go again."

Skills USA is a vocational organization which sponsors contest ranging from automotive and welding to computers, cooking and video production.

Carson High School students will compete in regional welding and automotive competitions on Feb. 23.

Winners from the cooking contest are Johnny Liston, Chad Santos, Eric Rengel, Brittany Harris and the alternate Andrew Poehlman.