W. Babylon Schools' Chefs Compete with Rachael Ray

Three staff members of the West Babylon School District went head-to-head in a cooking competition during the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine magazine on October 13th. The competition was part of the festival’s feature family program, “Fun and Fit in the City,” presented by Target and hosted by celebrity chef Guy Fieri.  

The West Babylon team – comprised of Santapogue Elementary School cook Laura Cassano, assistant cook Josephine Fiorante and the district’s music and art chairperson for grades K-8, Bill Duran – competed against New Rochelle City School District under the guidance of celebrity chef and co-host of the Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off, Rachael Ray. The culinary team from New Rochelle worked under the tutelage of Fieri.

Contestants were supplied with a food basket containing unknown ingredients. They were required to use the contents of their baskets to create a meal that was not only delicious but also healthy and reflective of the regulations identified in the Healthy Hunger Free Act of 2010. A panel of judges announced West Babylon’s spicy taco chili on a bed of sweet potato with cheddar the winner of the lunch competition.

In the past, the West Babylon School District has been recognized with medals from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation for their efforts to improve the health of their students and community in a variety of ways. The district’s involvement and ultimate success in this competition reinforce their mission to encourage healthy living.