A Bloomingdale High student has been crowned top chef.
- Bloomingdale junior Gianna Rivera wins high school cooking competition
- Her specialty: Citrus chicken tacos with watermelon salsa
- Statewide competition hosted by the Florida Department of Agriculture
Gianna Rivera of Valrico beat out four other regional finalists from across Florida last weekend at the "Fresh From Florida" Student Chef Cook-Off finals in Orlando.
Rivera’s dish, citrus chicken tacos with watermelon salsa, took the crown.
The meal will be served in school cafeterias, and the recipes of all five finalists will be converted into school meal service portions and accessible to sponsors throughout the state.
"A healthy diet is the foundation of academic success, and this competition is a fun way for students to learn how to incorporate wholesome ingredients into their daily lives," said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam.
Using ingredients grown in Florida, Rivera created her taco dish from scratch. She even got a passing grade on the dish before the competition from her toughest critic.
"And I made sure I ate it at home first and cooked it at home," Rivera said before the finals. "I have a 3-year-old baby brother and he's extremely picky. And if he will eat it, I know anybody will."
Rivera's dish was judged best by a panel of judges.
Sheldon Riley of Fort Pierce Westwood High School in St. Lucie County placed second with his Southwestern Chicken and Orzo Salad. Wesley Hill of Eastside High School in Alachua County placed third with his Sautéed Chicken Salad with Citrus Bell Pepper Salsa.