Celebrating our HCCA finalist in the 2025 K12 National Cook-Off!

We are thrilled to announce that one of our talented 12th grade students, Jackalynn, has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious 2025 K12 National Cook-Off! This incredible achievement highlights their impressive culinary skills and creativity.

About the Competition

The K12 National Cook-Off is an annual event that brings together young culinary enthusiasts from across the country. K12-powered students in grades 6–12 were challenged to bring their best recipes to the table for a shot at becoming one of five finalists. These five talented chefs will now advance to an exciting in-person showdown where they will compete for a $1,000 grand prize! 

How Jackalynn Became a Cook-Off Finalist 

Jackalynn impressed the judges with their outstanding dish: Blackberry Glazed NY Strip and Side Salad, a delicious creation featuring grass-fed New York strip steak, blackberries, toasted walnuts, balsamic vinegar, fresh thyme, and more. With countless hours spent perfecting the recipe, experimenting with flavors, and honing their presentation skills, their hard work truly paid off!

Here’s why Jackalynn chose to create their dish: 

“I chose to make this dish for a few reasons. One being me wanting to try to make steak. This was the first time I’ve ever made steak. Another reason is because I view cooking/baking as an art. I enjoy making things look good when served not just making them taste good. When watching cooking shows I would always see different ways people plate steaks and I wanted to give it a whirl. When plated, their steaks and all their food in general always look so nice and pleasant to the eye, even if it ended up tasting off or being cooked incorrectly, they would always make it look really good.”

What’s next? 

As a finalist, Jackalynn will receive a paid trip to Arlington, Virginia, to compete in the final round of the K12 National Cook-Off on June 6, 2025! There, they will vie for the grand prize, meet professional chef judges, and connect with other talented K12-powered students. 

We couldn’t be prouder of Jackalynn and can’t wait to cheer them on! 

Join us in celebrating!

Let’s rally behind Jackalynn as they represent Hoosier College and Career Academy in this exciting competition! Follow their journey to the finals on Instagram at @K12.student, and stay tuned for more updates. Congratulations, Jackalynn! Your dedication and creativity inspire us all—we’re rooting for you.