Yum factor

SPARTA — The sights, sounds and smell usually associated with a gourmet restaurant filled the air.

Guests arrived and were seated at tables. Cooks rushed to prepare food and arrange place settings. The sound of live music from performers kept the evening rocking.

But this was not a five star hotel or restaurant. It was the Sparta High School's fourth annual Iron Chef Competition on the evening of Tuesday, April 24.

Sodexo Food Service, which supplies the school's food, sponsored the event. Sodexo's workers helped with the Iron Chef competition, but it was the student cooks that were the stars. Four teams of student cooks prepped, sauteed and mixed their way through one hour before presenting their finished dishes to the judges. Sparta High's food competition is patterned after the popular Iron Chef television series.

The students participating in the contest were Walter Zielnski, Nico Gomez, Aurelio Minesinger, Christy Smetana, Craig Merrill, Robbie Connelly, Joe Ennis, Samie Sadighi, Taylor Vatter, Devon Neufeld, Daniel Yorlano, Matt Boffa, Aidan Ehlers, Bryan Bini, Carolyn Simmons, Andrew Altieri, Ryan Altieri and Dan Flores. All students were given certificates for participation.

Team Three consisting of Devon Neufeld, Matt Boffa, Daniel Yorlano, Aidan Ehlers and Bryan Bini won the competition. They each received bragging rights and a new cutlery set.

The judges for the competition were Sodexo Chef Vincent Degregorio, Wade Avondoglio (co-owner of Perona Farms of Andover Township), Sparta High School food supplier Walter Felix and Sparta Board of Education member Scott Turner.

Sparta High School's Food Service Director Patrice Flynn said "Proceeds from the Iron Chef competition goes to a scholarship fund to be awarded to a school culinary student who plans to pursue a career in the food industry after graduating."

Diners also got the chance to participate in a raffle to win a prize.