Bristow High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) students recently stepped into the Lions’ Den as they prepared and served the weekly meal for the Bristow Lions Club at the Methodist Church. Under the direction of Family and Consumer Sciences instructor Miranda Groom, the students worked together to plan, cook, and serve the meal, earning plenty of praise for both their food and professionalism.
Groom said the experience gives students “a chance to learn through service to see how their skills can impact the community while growing confidence in the kitchen.” The event also highlights how the FCS program helps students build valuable leadership and teamwork skills that reach far beyond school walls.
Those same students are now turning up the heat in a new challenge: a five-round cooking competition at Bristow High School. Eleven FCS students are competing for a chance to travel to Orlando, Florida, where a winning team of two will represent Bristow FCCLA at Cook Around the World, a national culinary event bringing together student chefs from across the country.
At the national level, competitors will cook side-by-side with well-known culinary professionals, including Food Network’s Duff Goldman, known for Ace of Cakes. Each local round focuses on creativity, teamwork, and technical skill, with judges evaluating every dish for taste, presentation, and overall execution.
“The competition is about more than cooking, it’s about opening doors,” Groom explained. “Our students are learning that their passion for culinary arts can take them anywhere.”
The Bristow FCS program continues to inspire young people to explore careers in hospitality, food service, and entrepreneurship. To see these students in action and stay updated on their progress, visit Bristow FCCLA’s Facebook page for upcoming features, including their Friday Night Lights spotlight.