Special to the Independent
Everett High School (EHS) Culinary Arts students showcased their technical skills and creativity during the 3rd Annual Teddie Peanut Butter Challenge, a fun and high-energy competition in which the young chefs were tasked with making a sweet or savory dish featuring the beloved product that is made here in Everett.
The Challenge, held on Thursday, January 25, 2024, featured 12 senior culinary arts students. They created a full-size presentation plate, as well as small portions for the four judges: Gretchen Manning from the Everett Public Schools (EPS) Central Administration and Teddie Peanut Butter executives Mark Nazarian, Brianna Soule, and Brittany L’Italien. The judges had the pleasure of sampling 12 creations — six sweet and six savory — but the difficult choice of picking winners in each category.
Marketing and Sales Mark Nazarian, Gretchen Manning of the EPS, Teddie Peanut Butter
Challenge winners Ritchelmia Auguste and Pietra Bertolazzi, Teddie Peanut Butter executives Brianna Soule and Brittany L’Italien, and EHS Culinary Arts Department Head Carolynn Parmenter.
The dishes were judged on overall flavor, presentation, originality, and how they represented the Teddie Peanut Butter brand. When the points were tabulated, Ritchelmia Aguste and Pietra Bertolazzi were crowned the winners. Aguste served a Biscoff Peanut Butter Tiramisu, while Bertolazzi made sweet and spicy peanut butter wings with cucumber salad.
In addition to conceptualizing and making delicious dishes featuring Teddie Peanut Butter, the students did an excellent job of presenting and describing their creations to the judges.
Teddie Peanut Butter is a family company that started producing peanut butter in 1930 and has been headquartered in Everett since 1969.
The complete list of talented competitors:
Ritchelmia Auguste — Biscoff Peanut Butter Tiramisu
Cindy Emile — Peanut Butter and Jelly Macaron
Jeleinee Hernandez Cepeda — Peanut Butter Chocolate Lava Cake
Joshua Boa — Peanut Butter Chicken Curry
Gregory Barros — Peanut Butter Udon Noodles
Camila Ferreira — Peanut butter Mousse Trifle with Brownie
Thiago De Aguiar — Peanut Butter Coxinhas with Maionese de Batata
Mariela Chacon — Peanut Butter and Banana Semifreddo
Izabela Araujo — Peanut Butter Chocolate Pudding Pie with Peanut Butter Crisps
Pietra Bertolazzi — Sweet and Spicy Peanut Butter Wings with Cucumber Salad
Elizabeth Connell — Peanut Butter and Pork-Filled Dumplings
Tyana Williams — Spicy Chicken Kebabs with Spicy Peanut Sauce over Coconut Rice
Special thanks to Culinary Arts Department Head Carolyn Parmenter, Chef/Instructor Corey Bourassa, and the Teddie Peanut Butter team for offering this high-visibility opportunity to our students.