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Team Justice Page wins Junior Iron Chef competition

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Team Justice Page
Team Justice Page wins Junior Iron Chef competition

It was an exciting night at this year's Junior Iron Chef competition on April 29, held in person for the first time since 2019. Selected middle school students from across MPS teamed up with local chefs and a mentor from the Roosevelt High School Culinary Arts program to compete in a Top Chef-style challenge judged by a panel. Teams had one hour to prepare a dish including the secret ingredient: kernza!

Congratulations to our Junior Iron Chef champions, Team Justice Page — student chefs Miranda Alam and Lilly Fellows with Roosevelt mentor Mazie Campbell, and local chef Ann Ahmed of Gai Noi, Khaluna, Lat14 Asian Eatery!

Team Justice Page competition winners

Champion Team Justice Page (L-R): Ann Ahmed, Miranda Alam, Lilly Fellows and Mazie Campbell celebrate their win.

Miranda and Lilly created a curry dish that impressed the judges and told a story inspired by their Bangladeshi and Ethiopian heritage. The dish reflected their passion for sharing diverse flavors and their vision for more inclusive meals for MPS students.

Team Justice Page's winning recipe will be featured on the MPS lunch menu next year, bringing their vision to thousands of peers across the district!

The 2025 Junior Iron Chef competition brought together these talented teams:
 

Team Andersen United

  • Caden Whitmore and Felix Kunz
  • Cal Mahutchin, Roosevelt Culinary Arts mentor
  • Chef Laurence Herbert (The Minikahda Club)

Team Anthony

  • Talia Dominick and Lily Costner
  • Leila Traynham, Roosevelt Culinary Arts mentor
  • Chefs Charlie and Thomas Broder (Broders' Pasta Bar)

Team Anwatin

  • Ta'leah Flowers and Selena Gutierrez
  • Esme Wright-Ansorge, Roosevelt Culinary Arts mentor
  • Chef Lee Garman (Owamni)

Team Franklin

  • Savannah Jones and Aaliyah Jackson
  • Edwin Puma, Roosevelt Culinary Arts mentor
  • Chef Royal Dahlstrom (Curate)

Team Justice Page

  • Miranda Alam and Lilly Fellows
  • Mazie Campbell, Roosevelt Culinary Arts mentor
  • Chef Ann Ahmed (Gai Noi, Khaluna, Lat14)

Team Northeast

  • Emmett Lawson and Tuula lutzke
  • Steven Carmona, Roosevelt Culinary Arts mentor
  • Chef Gustavo Romero (Nixta)
Junior Iron Chef teams

Junior Iron Chef was emceed by the enthusiastic Stephanie March of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, who kept the crowd energized and the spotlight firmly on our young chefs.  

Our esteemed panel of judges brought together voices from food, education and the local community. They carefully evaluated each dish based on flavor, presentation, creativity and the use of the secret ingredient.

  • Beth Dooley (Beth Dooley’s Kitchen)
  • Sarah Emola (Life Time Foundation)
  • Stephanie Graff (Minnesota Department of Education)
  • Lori Norvell (MPS School Board Director)
  • Ben Cuevas-Rengstorf (Roosevelt Culinary Arts)
  • David Stennes (Arcola Farms)
  • Bertrand Weber (MPS Culinary & Wellness Services)

A huge thanks to all participating MPS students and staff, local chefs and judges, and our amazing community for your support.