The Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metropolitan Community College holds a High School Culinary Invitational every year for area high school students to compete in. This year marks their fourth year of holding the event, which will be held February 27-28 at MCC’s Fort Omaha Campus. Below is a press release about the event that was submitted to Food & Spirits Magazine.

  Coordinated and operated by MCC’s Institute for the Culinary Arts, the invitational showcases the culinary and academic talents of area high school students. The events are supported by MCC students and faculty as well as leaders in the foodservice and hospitality industry.
 
  The invitational provides a format for high school culinary arts students to prepare for state and national competitions recognizes students for excellence and team participation and involves the industry in directly evaluating student performance. It also showcases the Culinary Arts Program at MCC, which prepares students for careers in the foodservice and hospitality industry.
 
  Seventeen high schools will be represented in this year’s competition: Bellevue East, Benson, Bryan, Elkhorn, Fremont, Gross Catholic, Milford, Missouri Valley, Omaha Career Center, Omaha Central, Omaha North, Omaha Northwest, Papillion La Vista High, Papillion La Vista South, Plattsmouth, Ralston and Roncalli Catholic high schools. A total of 105 students are registered to participate.
 
  Teams participating in the Hospitality Knowledge Bowl from 3 to 5 p.m. on Feb. 27 demonstrate their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry by a competing in a question and answer Jeopardy-style event.
 
  Teams participating in the Culinary Skills Competition from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 28 demonstrate their creative abilities and culinary skills through the preparation of a three-course meal in 60 minutes. Their performance during the practical session is observed and rated by judges from leading postsecondary colleges and universities, local chefs and restaurateurs.

  Awards and recognitions will be presented at a ceremony at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28. The Knowledge Bowl, Culinary Competition and Awards Ceremony are free and open to the public. All these activities take place on MCC’s Fort Omaha Campus, Bldg. 10 at 30th and Fort streets.