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March 20, 2025

An All-Female Crew from Wyandotte High School Makes History at State Chef Competition

Five people in white chef coats and dark pants stand outdoors, holding up small white signs with green text.

The makeshift kitchen buzzed with excitement as five young chefs from Wyandotte High School made history at a culinary competition, held in Wichita, Kansas.

A five-member, all-female team, comprising of four seniors and one junior competed in the Kansas ProStart Invitational on March 4-5.

Five people in white chef coats and dark pants stand outdoors, holding up small white signs with green text.

Daniela Giron Morataya, Karen Flores Bautista, Kimberly Lopez, Miriam Lopez Villeda, and Rosario Suriano went up against 95 other students from across the state.

This was the first time that an all-female team from Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools reached this level of competition. The invitational focused on restaurant management and culinary arts with scholarships and state-wide recognition on the line.

A team of chefs in white uniforms and hats prepare food behind a long table in a well-lit room.

“The team did great,” said KCKPS Culinary Instructor Patrick Thompson. “These girls did better than any other team from Wyandotte and KCKPS ever has.”

Their creation featured a chopped salad, parmesan panko chicken, with scratch-made fettuccine, and sauteed broccoli.

A plate with broccoli, pasta, and meat sits on a table, with cocktail glasses of fruit and a bottle nearby.

For dessert they prepared a Zabaglione, which is an Italian custard, along with macerated strawberries. And to top it off, they had just one hour to prepare the three-course meal.

The competition also included an epicurean concept category where each team had to pitch their innovative restaurant concepts to industry experts.

A group of five culinary students in white coats and hats pose together indoors.

The young ladies spent about a year preparing for this event. As part of their Career and Technical Education classes, they took multiple courses to help hone their culinary and management skills.

“I’ve told them over and over, but I really couldn’t be prouder of this team and what they’ve accomplished,” added Thompson.

A group of kitchen staff in chef uniforms stand together in an indoor hallway.

Unfortunately, the team from Wyandotte High School did not reach the finals which will be held in Maryland next month, but they are extremely happy that they were able to compete.

“As a first year participant, the goal was about learning, and I think a lot was achieved to set us up for success next year,” said KCKPS Career and Technical Education Coordinator Kelley James.

Congratulations to the team of history makers.

To view news coverage of the ProStart Invitational, click the link.