FALLBROOK - On Nov. 27, Fallbrook High School culinary students were awarded the Silver Ladle for their Chicken Tortilla Soup at the inaugural North County ROP Culinary Arts Competition – The Soup Bowl Invitational, hosted by Vista High School.

After competing with classmates for the opportunity to represent Fallbrook at the Soup Bowl Invitational, and months of sharpening their skills and perfecting their recipe under the direction of instructor Larry Koch, Austin Jenkin, Mason Munari, Ryder Rogers, John Duong and Steven Casillas traveled to Vista High School to compete against some of the top chefs from Mission Hills High School, Vista High School and San Dieguito Academy.

The teams had 90 minutes to prepare their soups, and were evaluated on a variety of components from taste and texture, to organization and sanitation. The judges’ panel was comprised of professional chefs and food writers including Chef Ann Richardson from Dream Dinners, Chef Michael Zonfrilli Advertisement

[ Christ the King Lutheran Church ] from the Art Institute, Chef Frosty Hansen from Sysco, David Boylan, host of Lick the Plate Radio on KPRi and Chris Ross from the UT San Diego.

With the Silver Ladle on the line, competition was fierce in the kitchen as the judges, media and spectators from the San Diego County Office of Education looked on.

The teams produced four distinctly different and delicious soups including a Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Chili-Cran Apple Relish and Cranberry Sage Scones (San Dieguito), Chicken Tortilla Soup (Fallbrook), Shrimp Bisque (Vista) and Chicken Tortilla Soup with Fire Roasted Tomatoes and Chipotle (Mission Hills).

Fallbrook was awarded the Silver Ladle for their Chicken Tortilla Soup, and Vista’s Shrimp Bisque was named runner up. All participants took home goody bags from the sponsors including Whole Foods Encinitas, Chick-fil-A at Quarry Creek, Panera Bread, Souplantation and Pacific Foods, and judges received gourmet oils and vinegars from Baker & Olive.