In a culinary extravaganza, the Twin Rivers Unified School District proudly hosts its annual Chopped Challenge today, November 8, 2023, at Rio Linda High School, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
The competition’s primary goal is to instill healthy living habits in students while honing their culinary talents and grooming the region’s next generation of chefs.
An exciting addition to this year’s Chopped Challenge is the participation of local celebrity guest chef Ravin Patel, who serves as the Executive Chef at 7th Street Standard and will take on the role of a discerning judge.
This event holds particular significance for the Twin Rivers Unified School District, as it has consistently nurtured a thriving culinary program, maintained school gardens, and fostered partnerships with local chefs and restaurants across the region. Over 130 students from kindergarten to 12th grade, representing more than 30 schools, are set to engage in a spirited culinary face-off within the district.
The theme for this year’s Chopped Challenge is pizza, and students will craft their distinctive recipes for savory, dessert, and non-traditional pizzas, utilizing a mobile brick oven in their quest to claim the title of the best pizza in their respective categories. The judging criteria will revolve around creativity, presentation, and, most importantly, taste.
The culmination of each Chopped Challenge results in the compilation of all student recipes into a single cookbook, serving as a lasting tribute to the event and a means to share the innovative culinary creations of these talented students with the wider community.
A Brief Background on Chef Ravin Patel:
Chef Ravin Patel, a Natomas native, honed his culinary skills at the prestigious French Culinary Institute in New York City during the early 2000s. He gained valuable experience working under the tutelage of renowned NYC restaurateur Danny Meyer at the Union Square Hospitality Group before returning to Sacramento in 2009. His journey in the culinary world led him to work with the Selland family, first at Ella, then as the chief culinary officer for their restaurant group, which includes The Kitchen, Obo Italian Table & Bar, and Selland’s Market-Cafe. In 2018, he joined his cousin Sushil Patel’s Davis-based hotelier Presidio Companies, owners of the Hyatt Centric, and currently holds the esteemed position of Executive Chef at 7th Street Standard.
Event Details:
Who:
- 130 Twin Rivers Unified School District Students
- Dr. Lori Grace, Assistant Superintendent
- Ravin Patel, Executive Chef, 7th Street Standard
- Twin Rivers Unified District Chef
- Twin Rivers Unified Trustee
What: Annual Chopped Challenge Culinary Competition featuring students of all ages, ranging from Kindergarten to 12th grade
When: November 8, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Where: Rio Linda High School 6309 Dry Creek Rd, Rio Linda, CA 95673
