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Branksome Hall News

Branksome Hall’s Master Chef Competition: A Sizzling Success

Lunchtime is a favourite time of day for many Branksome students, and who can blame them when there is so much to choose from? From fun Fish Fridays to creative pizza options and the much-loved pierogi day, there is never a dull menu in the Athletics and Wellness Centre Dining Hall. Led by Ms. Denise Smith each year, young chefs and creative cooks in Grades 7–12 look forward to Branksome’s Master Chef competition—an exciting contest where students submit their favourite recipe to Chef Peter Domaradzki, Head of Culinary, and the Branksome Aramark team with the hopes of winning the title of Master Chef.
Branksome Hall’s first competition took place during the 2022–23 school year. The competition was deliciously fun, with entries including Jamaican beef patties, mochi and other delectable goodies. It was a tough choice for our judges, but in the end, Grade 10 student Emmi won for her innovative and creative recipe for Singapore chicken. “This delicious and spicy dish transported us straight to the hectic streets of Singapore,” said Julie Trudeau, General Manager of Food Services, in a congratulatory social media post. The aromatic spices and notes of mint provided for an unforgettable culinary experience. 

In December 2023, the competition was back and better than ever with more scrumptious recipes from our students. In the most recent competition, green onion pancakes, quesadillas, penne alla vodka and more tickled the judges’ taste buds. But when Grade 9 student Anastasia presented her delicious domathes—carefully seasoned rice and meat wrapped in grape leaves—the judges were blown away by her creativity and skill. Anastasia got the stamp of approval from the Aramark team and her win was announced to the community in December 2023.

Special thanks to Ms. Smith for bringing the community together for this event each year, and to Chef Peter, Julie and the Aramark staff for participating in this fun competition and encouraging our students to explore their creativity through the culinary arts. Follow Julie Trudeau, Manager of Food Services at @jtrudeaubranksome for more exciting updates and a behind-the-scenes look at everything delicious at Branksome Hall. 
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LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We wish to acknowledge this land on which Branksome operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and go to school on this land.

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