Students Cook Up Success in 2025 Tennessee Junior Chef Competition

The Tennessee State Junior Chef Competition, a statewide high school culinary contest, took place on March 7, 2025, at The Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts at Nashville State Community College’s Southeast campus in Antioch.

Students used locally-sourced ingredients to create National School Lunch Program-compliant recipes.

Southeast campus Director Jamica Hines emphasized the importance of the event in shaping future culinary leaders, noting, “This competition not only showcases the culinary talents of student chefs but also represents the dedication and passion of all the partnering organizations in fostering future culinary leaders. The Southeast campus and Nashville State is proud to support and celebrate their hard work and creativity on this statewide stage.”

During the competition, each team’s dish is evaluated by expert judges. Scholarships were given to the top three teams.

This winners of the 2025 competition are:

• 1^st Place: Ooltewah High School
  • Scholarship to The Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts or Scholarship to Sullivan University
  • Advance to the Southeast regional Junior Chef competition
• 2^nd Place: DeKalb County High School
  • Scholarship to Sullivan University
• 3^rd Place: Morgan County Career & Technical Center
  • Scholarship to Sullivan University

This is the third year the event was held at Nashville State’s Southeast campus. The Tennessee Junior Chef Competition is made possible by partnerships with the Tennessee Department of Education’ School Nutrition Program, The Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts at Nashville State Community College, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, No Kid Hungry and Sullivan University.

Teams:

• Cumberland County High School
  • Dish: Rocky Top Stir Fry
• DeKalb County High School
  • Dish: Homestyle Chicken Pot Pie
• East Hickman High School
  • Dish: Mary Me Chicken
• Lake County High School
  • Dish: Island Jerk Chicken
• Morgan County Career & Technical Center
  • Dish: Southwestern Quesadilla
• Ooltewah High School
  • Dish: Zucchini Manicotti
• Warren County High School
  • Dish: Chicken Veggie Alfredo Pasta

Judges:

• Chef Jennefer Smart, Mid Cumberland-West regional nutrition consultant, Tennessee Department of Education
• Chef Chance Smith, owner, Peace. Love. Grub.
• Chef Ryan Yarnell, account manager and culinary specialist, Rebellyous Foods

Tennessee Junior Chef 2025 winners from Ooltweah High School.