The Gateway Culinary and FCCLA scholars, guided by the expertise of Gateway staff members Adam Barnes, Harley Wiggins, and Rayven Bettis, just brought home 1st place for Best Chili at the annual Hopkinsville MAC Chili Cook-Off! In a competitive event featuring skilled cooks from across the region, the Gateway team wowed judges and attendees alike with their culinary talent, teamwork, and, of course, their award-winning chili.
This big win is a testament to the strength and dedication of Gateway’s Culinary and FCCLA programs, two of the outstanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways offered at Gateway Academy. Through hands-on experiences, these programs empower students to develop practical skills, from mastering kitchen techniques to planning and executing large-scale food events. The culinary curriculum gives students essential knowledge and skills for a future in the food industry, while FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) focuses on leadership and community involvement, preparing students for success in various professional and service roles.
Both programs emphasize not only technical abilities but also collaboration, creativity, and confidence—qualities the Gateway team showcased beautifully in the Chili Cook-Off. These scholars truly demonstrated the power of CTE education, proving that a blend of passion, hard work, and skilled mentorship can lead to incredible achievements.
With a big win under their belts, perhaps the next step is showing off their chili-making expertise to the entire Gateway staff. There’s no doubt their coworkers would be more than willing taste-testers!
Congratulations again to the Gateway Culinary and FCCLA scholars and their mentors, Adam Barnes, Harley Wiggins, and Rayven Bettis, for this fantastic achievement!
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