Fishers Junior High expands culinary arts program with Charger Throwdown

Submitted

Fishers Junior High announces the expansion of its culinary arts program with the highly anticipated Charger Throwdown – a visionary initiative led by Hamilton Southeastern Schools Food Services Director Kim Ogden and HSE Schools Food Services Project Catering Coordinator Amy Reade.

This dynamic and multifaceted program invited influential chefs to engage with students through hands-on workshops designed to inspire and expand their culinary knowledge. Following these immersive sessions, each aspiring student chef selected a unique recipe, refined their skills at home, and prepared for the Charger Throwdown competition.

During the final event, student chefs raced against the clock in their designated kitchen stations, each supported by a mentor who provided guidance in a hands-off manner – thanks to the dedication of staff volunteers. The Charger Throwdown not only strengthened students’ time management skills but also helped them navigate high-pressure situations, encouraged family involvement, and fostered personal growth in the kitchen.

Moreover, the program brought together community partners, including local chefs and establishments like Ford’s Garage, whose generous support helped provide prizes for the top three winners.

A panel of distinguished judges evaluated the students’ work, expressing excitement for the continued growth of the Charger Culinary Program at HSE Schools. Parents also shared heartfelt appreciation for the initiative, recognizing the profound impact it had on their children’s culinary confidence and creativity. Judges were particularly impressed by the students’ meticulous attention to detail, plating techniques, and innovative recipes.

Even more exciting, Ogden and Reade are exploring ways to incorporate students’ winning recipes into the HSE food program, further extending the real-world impact of this remarkable initiative.

Featured chefs

• Chris Pope – Local chef with expertise in K-12 food services
• Anna Marangelli – A veteran of HSE Schools with over 30 years of experience, originally from Italy, where she developed her passion for making fresh pasta
• Blythe Beck – Regional Corporate Chef for Gordon Food Service, former apprentice at a five-star Dallas restaurant, and featured chef on the Oxygen Network, with collaborations alongside renowned chefs like Paula Deen

Charger Throwdown winners

• 1^st Place: Thu-Huong Doan
• 2^nd Place: Haley Dull
• 3^rd Place: Amelia Rine

Chef finalists

• Robert Field
• Adalynn Doerr
• Mylan Phillips
• Tori Benson
• Connor Brown
• Asher Dixon

Judges panel

• Tiffany Pascoe – HSE Schools Board of Trustees, Wayne Township
• Patrick Mapes – HSE Superintendent
• Jeff Troyer – General Manager, Ford’s Garage
• Matt Kegley – HSE Deputy Superintendent
• Butts – Fishers Junior High School Principal
• Chris Pope – Chef

Chef support team

A special thank you to the incredible volunteers who helped make this event possible:

• Rosa Shimizu
• Leah Ann Self
• Elizabeth Walter
• Kelly Silva
• Nichelle Anderson
• Heather Robinson
• Danielle Odom
• Katie Greenwood
• Joyce Lika
• Beth Verhoestra
• Angie King

The Charger Throwdown has set a new standard for student engagement in the culinary arts, blending education with real-world skills, mentorship, and community involvement. Fishers Junior High looks forward to the continued growth of this outstanding program and the bright culinary futures of its talented students.