Last month, the first-ever IN2WORK Aces event, a two-day culinary competition, was held in Lansing, KS, for its students. The event’s purpose was to provide culinary instruction, instill teamwork, have fun, and show off the students’ kitchen skills.
“The event was a huge success, for staff and residents alike,” said Warden Ball. “Aramark brought in a Chef that taught residents job skills, but more importantly emphasized the importance of teamwork. The competition put the resident’s talents on display and continues to shine in the residents involved.”
The event kicked off with a cooking demonstration by Chef Randy Bain, Vice President for Culinary Innovation for Aramark Correctional Services, who showed the students how to make tortilla soup and bread pudding as part of the pre-competition preparation.
On day two, contestants formed three teams and were given mystery ingredients from which they had to make two predetermined recipes (tortilla soup and bread pudding) and prepare three components (chicken, rice, Brussels sprouts) to make a comprehensive and cohesive meal. The mystery ingredients, used to recreate the soup and dessert as well as personalize their main dishes, consisted of corn and flour tortillas, tortilla chips, bacon, onion, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, various peppers, and seasonings (chili powder, cumin, sofrito, sazon).
Chef Randy Bain
“I2W Aces exceeded all my expectations of what a culinary competition could be,” said Chef Bain. “Our main goal is to teach students teamwork; teams all came together to achieve dishes that they proudly presented to the judges. They were accountable for taste, food safety standards, and timing.”
The contestants were judged on taste, presentation, and kitchen skills and safety. The competition was fierce, with three teams competing: 5 Favorite Sauces, the Noisey Boys, and Team HighBall. The competition ended in a tie, and the kitchen score was the determining factor for the win.
The kitchen score is based on a combination of proper sanitation and safe food handling, using techniques of mise en place (which relates to organization and having everything in its place), proper cooking and execution of their recipes, and division of duties and workflow. The final piece of that score was time management, allowing for plating and delivery of the dishes to the judges. With this category, 5 Favorite Sauces were awarded the top spot.
“The judges’ questions were answered, tasting completed, and two teams tied for first place, incredibly exciting! The kitchen score broke the tie, and we found the winner,” recounted Bain. “I felt proud and grateful for having this experience of training them and acknowledging their efforts in the kitchen!”
In addition to Chef Bain, the judges for the competition were Tim Barttrum, President of Aramark Correctional Services; Jesse Howe, Warden of Lansing KS DOC; Shala Sicard, Contracted Service Manager KS DOC; and A. Ellington, an IN2WORK Graduate.
Shala Sicard, Contracted Services Manager for Kansas DOC added, “The commitment and dedication to the IN2WORK program as well as Kansas DOC truly exhibits the passion Aramark has for the program and what it does. These gentlemen don’t often get to see what dedication and hard work can do and your patience and kindness is not something they often see either. This can become something very special for these gentlemen and hopefully something they will carry with them for a long time.”
Aramark’s IN2WORK program helps participants develop skills for their post-release job search. I2W offers food and retail safety training through both classroom and hands-on-training, taking a phased approach to learning. The goal is to help incarcerated individuals take control of their lives by giving them the tools, experience, certifications, and confidence they need to support themselves and their families as they transition back to life in their communities.
Check out our Mark in Motion video about the ACS Aces Competition!
