MCST Senior Wins Rachel Ray's Cook Your Way to Culinary School Competition

Published on February 20, 2018

Nick Capone, of Denville, a senior at the Academy for Culinary Arts at the Morris County School of Technology in Denville, was the winner in TV cooking personality Rachael Ray's recent Cook Your Way to Culinary School competition.

(JPEG, 187KB) Rachael Ray and Nick Capone are pictured during the production of "The Rachael Ray Show" -- Photo by David M. Russell/Rachael Ray Show
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Nick was one of four young aspiring chefs who competed to make their dreams of attending culinary school a reality. The competition aired on "Rachel Ray'' last Friday, Feb. 16, with the winner, Nick Capone, announced at the end of the show.

Nick received a $25,000 scholarship from Rachael's Yum-O! organization, as well as $500 worth of the TV personality's cookware.

Cooking has helped me deal with anxiety I faced as a child; once I got into the kitchen, I felt comfortable and found a way to be myself, said Nick.

The contest, launched in October, attracted hundreds of submissions from across the nation. Each entrants was required to submit a video showing them preparing an original recipe dish and explaining why they deserved to win the scholarship.

The four selected finalists traveled to New York City to compete in food-related challenges such as demonstrating knife skills, and preparing a dish using ingredients they shopped for within a strict budget and time constraints.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY FOR CULINARY ARTS

The Morris County Vocational School District's Academy for Culinary Arts is a four-year full-time high school program providing students with a solid foundation of culinary theory with emphasis placed on current industry cooking and baking methods and techniques. Students get extensive hands-on experience in catering and serving in a commercial kitchen and dining facility.

For information about MCVSD programs, including high school Career Academies, Share Time Programs, and Adult Education programs, visit www.mcvts.org or call 973-627-4600 ext. 277.