OXNARD — Rio Mesa High School was awarded the grand prize, winning first place at the recent Third Annual ‘Sweets by the Beach’ Student Culinary Competition held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort in Oxnard.
Three groups, who were selected from preliminary competitions within the Oxnard High School District, created desserts consisting of chocolate, strawberry and tamarind. Each team had an hour to complete their creation.
Rio Mesa students, Sierra Furagganan and Savannah Wilkinson took the top honors cheered on by their teacher, Cynthia Allen. Their winning dessert consisted of a dark chocolate panna cotta. Pacifica High School’s team included students, Christina Carrillo and April Chavez Betancourt encouraged by their teacher, Kristen Ofeldt. Student Raymond Avalos-Gavutyan competed from Channel Islands High School supported by his teacher, Christie Biddison.
The judges included: Chef Mike Lodi, President of the American Culinary Federation; Chef Sean Kingsbury, Sous Chef at the Embassy Suites; Chef Richard Varble, Chef de Cuisine at the Ventura Rescue Mission; Chef Magda Weydt, Owner at Fresh & Fabulous Café; and Chef Patty Brown, Owner of Dottie’s Sweet Delights.
The annual competition is a partnership between the OUHSD, the Ventura County Civic Alliance and the Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort. The Rio Mesa team were awarded with plaques and a future opportunity to experience a ‘Chef of the Day’ job at the Embassy. The winning team also received a silver spoon award and a certificate from Congresswoman, Julia Browley’s office.
For more information, call Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort at 805-984-2500 or visit the website at www.mandalayembassysuites.com.
About Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach – Hotel & Resort: Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach – Hotel & Resort creates an ambience of far away destinations set in a tranquil ocean-front location, situated on the beautiful Pacific in-between Santa Barbara and Malibu. The only all-suite hotel in Southern California to sit directly on the beach, the resort contains 250 two room suites and features the signature amenities standard at any Embassy Suites Hotel including free cooked-to-order breakfast each morning and a complimentary two-hour Manager’s Reception each evening. The guest suites have a living area with a sofa bed, dining/work table, two HD TV’s, high-speed Internet access, a wet bar, mini-refrigerator, microwave oven, separate private bedroom and 2 private baths. Onsite amenities include a large freeform swimming pool, which is adjacent to a large whirlpool. A second whirlpool specifically for adults is also on property, allowing for more privacy and relaxation. In addition, the resort contains a workout room, lighted tennis, volleyball, sport courts and business center. Guests can enjoy spa services in their suite or in the treatment rooms. Bicycle rentals are conveniently located on site, and nearby options include the opportunity to surf, kayak, sail, paddle board and boat, as well as enjoy the sun-soaked California beaches.