South Philadelphia competes in annual chef competition

Photo: Robert Mendelsohn

South Philadelphia High School students Sophavy On (left) and Christina Huynh serve carne mechada to Margaret Bailey-Nesmith, call center director for Philadelphia Coca Cola, during the ninth annual My Compliments to the Chef competition held in October. South Philly was one of 14 schools with culinary programs to prepare dishes with a Latin theme for the event presented by the Communities in Schools of Philadelphia Culinary and Hospitality Program. Nancy Hansell, South Philly’s culinary arts program director, said students learn to prepare meats and sauces, run a café, and cater events at the school. To prepare for the showcase, they made one dish each day, with every culinary class contributing to the cooking.