Local students place sixth in state chef contest

A team of high school culinary arts students who attend vo-tech classes at Southern Missouri Technical Institute recently competed and placed sixth in the state in the Annual ProStart Competition held in Springfield. The event takes teams of culinary arts and restaurant management students and puts them under pressure to demonstrate their ability to cook and manage time while preparing dishes. Pictured here with their instructor, Chef Bryan Hathcock, are (from left): Rebekah Deluna of Bakersfield School, Tyler Gregory of Koshkonong School, Jaiden Schmutzler of Gainesville School, Rorie Collins of Bakersfield School and Lily Bohon of Lutie School.