Area 31 Culinary Team Triumphs at Westminster Food Fight

Westminster Neighborhood Services' biggest fundraising event of the year, the Westminster Food Fight, took place recently. It brought together local high school culinary programs for an exciting "Chopped"-style competition. The competition featured culinary teams from Area 31 Career Center, J. Everett Light Career Center, Central Nine Career Center, and Center Grove High School. The challenge? To create an innovative dish using two key ingredients: canned chickpeas, a common food pantry item, and shrimp, chosen to highlight the first Friday of Lent.

The evening showcased creativity and culinary skills as teams worked under pressure to prepare mouthwatering dishes. Guests had the opportunity to taste and vote for their favorites, making the event both an engaging experience and a meaningful fundraiser. The Area 31 Culinary Arts program ran away with the competition, winning both the People's Choice and Judge's Choice awards. Their winning dish? Mini shrimp tacos with a twist! The tortillas were made from chickpea flour, and the cilantro lime crema was also crafted from chickpeas. The tacos featured marinated shrimp, mango pineapple pico, and crispy chickpeas for an extra crunch. To top it all off, the team prepared an alcohol-free mocktail using aquafaba—the juice from chickpeas—creating a refreshing beverage that perfectly complemented their dish.

Thanks to the generosity of community members who purchased tickets to sample the dishes, the Westminster Food Fight raised an impressive $75,000. These funds will go directly to support Westminster Neighborhood Services, ensuring they can continue providing vital resources to the families they serve.

While the culinary competition was exciting, the real winners are the individuals and families of the Near Eastside who will benefit from the event's success.