Apex student wins culinary competition

Zane Muzzillo
Staff Writer

Apex High senior Wesley Ryan Beske recently placed first in a cooking competition and received a $4,000 scholarship to the Art Institute in Durham. “I didn’t expect to win when I entered because the competition looked stiff,” he said. Beske has committed to the Arts Institute. “I have to spend it on the Arts Institute, so I will be going there and I will be studying culinary management,” he explained.

Wesley Ryan Beske with his scholarship.

Beske defeated nine other competitors with a shrimp cocktail and a chicken marsala. “I knew that I had to cook my best to win, so I made a great Marsala sauce made with mushrooms and sherry wine. I think that this sauce won me the competition,” said Beske.

Beske first learned to cook as a child. “When I was a kid, my father let me cook dinner sometimes and I naturally stuck with it,” Beske said. He learned a lot from his father, and continued his culinary education in the cooking classes he took at school. “I took Intro. to Culinary and Foods I here at Apex,” said Beske. “The class was grand and Ms. Hoskins is the best teacher ever. She has a lot of experience in her area,” he added.

Beske has some favorites when it comes to food preparation. “My favorite food to cook is enchiladas because I’m bomb at making them. My favorite food to eat is sushi because it is so wonderful, classy, and yummy,” he said. Sometime this spring, his dishes will be evaluated by a national judge for a chance to win a trip to New York City.