Milwaukee's Vincent High School hosted a farm to table deviled egg taste testing contest Thursday to highlight the school's Agricultural Science Center.
The deviled egg taste test competition was judged by a group of local chefs and food writers:
- Kyle Cherek, Host of Wisconsin Foodie
- Trueman McGee, Chef & Owner of Funky Fresh Spring Rolls
- Tarik Moody, 88Nine DJ & Host of food culture podcast "This Bites"
- Bobby Tanzilo of OnMilwaukee
- Tyler Maas of Milwaukee Record
- Kevin Sloan, Executive Chef, Pabst Theater Group
There were several different deviled egg recipes. Every judge smiled realizing these students are showing interest in growing the food. One student admits to never having a deviled egg before this contest. Judge Tarik Moody's favorite egg was actually the table favorite.
"The roast beef I did like a lot, that was really tasty," said Moody. "Not because the roast beef. It's just the creativity involved was all impressive,"
Vincent currently has 25 chickens, sheep, goats, a horse, and cows. Animal Science Pathway Teacher, Monica Gahan, says money from the fundraiser will help with the upkeep of the animals.
Gahan says the program needs more recognition citywide.
"I've never known how--I always thought we did a really good job advertising what we do," said Gahn. But people don't know about us yet,"
While she feels knowledge outside the school is still small, program awareness inside the school is huge. High school senior Brandon Albright says he looks forward to working with the chickens.
"Clean out cages, get them food, get them water, help with anything else that needs to be helped with," said Albright.
Vincent junior, Samya Hickman, says learning about cows was a big deal to her. She says not enough people her age realize that there are more than just dairy cows, thus her cow knowledge is impressive.
"How they get the colors, and how they give birth, and the milk and you know it's very fascinating," said Hickman.
Neither student says they're interested in becoming a farmer. However, the program has broadened their view on what jobs are possible in the future.
Albright is looking forward to graduation because the move out of the college is directly to the Milwaukee Fire Department as he dreams of becoming a firefighter.
"This is more like a backup plan just in case," said Albright. "If I decide that I don't want to do firefighting then it would be something dealing with animals."
The Vincent High School of Agricultural Science program expands the minds of their students in more ways than one. Students are learning how to cook, and more importantly, what foods they're cooking and eating. They're learning where their food comes from and to not be afraid of animals that aren't native to the city or in more urban spaces students may live in.
