Aragon team competes to be top chef

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jared Marquis
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  One after the other, people from around the Colorado Springs area came up to the table to try the delectable dessert. Some asked what it was they were trying, while others just went with the moment. All had a satisfied look on their face. But, the most memorable part for Airman 1st Class Bridget Mitchell, was the people who kept coming back for more.

The dessert - Freedom Feelers - something Airman Delia Reynolds described as fancy Jell-O shots. Served in a cupcake like wrapper, the dessert contained red and blue Jell-O with a white middle.

It was what the four members of the 21st Force Support Squadron created to compete in the Best of the Pikes Peak Area Chefs competition during the annual Glass Slipper Ball Jan. 25 at the DoubleTree in Colorado Springs. The annual ball - which features music and gourmet food sampling - is a fundraiser for various causes.

The event features some of the best chefs in the area serving their choice of an hors d'oeuvre, dessert or specialty coffee.

The team of Airmen from the Aragon Dining Facility began preparing in November for what would be their second competition. They won last year, said Mitchell.

"Originally we started with two teams, but several people had to drop out because of changing duty stations, or they weren't able to commit the time," said Mitchell. "In the end, there were four of us."

Once they had their team, which consisted of Mitchell, Reynolds, Airman 1st Class Shayla Bohrer and Senior Airman Candace Philippo, they began discussing ideas for what they would enter in the competition.

"We talked about cupcakes and brownies and other types of desserts, but ultimately decided on the Freedom Feelers," said Reynolds.

Although they didn't win the competition this year, said Mitchell, they were told about halfway through that they were in the lead.

"They don't officially have places," she said. "They just announce the winner, so we aren't sure where we finished."

While the team finished strong, they faced several challenges. From getting the mixture just right to battling melting ingredients, it took the team approximately 60 hours to get everything ready for the competition.

During the competition, they said the only thing they would have changed is better decorations for the table and a poster that clearly identifies them as the Aragon Dining Facility team.

These are both ideas they plan on implementing next year when they plan to once again represent Team Pete as one of the best chef teams in the area.

 

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