Cigarroa High School’s Culinary Arts and Future Farmers of America (FFA) students have made their mark at the Second Annual Grilling and BBQ Competition hosted by La Feria ISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department. The event, which took place in the Rio Grande Valley, featured five competitive divisions: Tacos, Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken Thighs, Steak, and Baby Back Ribs. Cigarroa’s students brought home an impressive four trophies, earning the prestigious title of Grand Champions.
Twenty teams from across the region competed, with Cigarroa High School being the sole representative for LISD and the city of Laredo. The school's two teams showcased their talent in grilling and BBQ techniques, standing out among their peers.
The FFA team secured first place in the ribs category, while the culinary arts team dominated the macaroni and cheese division, earning first place, as well as placing second in tacos. These outstanding achievements led to the mighty Toro culinary arts team being crowned Grand Champions of the event.
Preparation for the competition was intense, with students practicing grilling and smoking food outdoors once a week throughout September. The competition required the use of open flame fuel sources such as charcoal and wood, pushing the teams to experiment with various grilling techniques, seasonings, and equipment.
“It was our first competition, and seeing all the big equipment from other teams was intimidating,” said CHS Culinary Arts Teacher Gilbert Cavazos. “The weather also played a big role in the challenge, but our hard work paid off, and it’s an experience we’ll never forget.”
CHS student Brianna Alfaro, who also played a key role in the victory, reflected on the experience, saying, "It was a new experience; I was nervous the whole time even though we practiced. I am more than happy to know that all our efforts paid off. My favorite category was Mac n Cheese—people keep asking for the recipe, but the ingredients are passion and teamwork."
FFA students, under the guidance of Jose Luis Barrera and Jose Lopez, and Culinary Arts students, led by Gilbert Cavazos, participated in the competition include Julie Ugarte, Brianna Alfaro, Dylan Escamilla, Erick Salgado, Jaeda Sanchez, Dulce De La Cruz, Allan Garcia, and Luis Villeda. Their hard work and dedication have brought pride not only to Cigarroa High School but also to the entire Laredo community.
CHS senior Julie Ugarte called the BBQ competition an "amazing" experience, especially for a student passionate about cooking. She emphasized how working with her team under pressure and preparing each dish in quick succession was both challenging and rewarding. “My team and I worked together and were able to see and feel the pressure of a competition. The most challenging part of this whole experience was making sure we all were prepared for the next dish we put out. Once we were done with one we immediately washed, dried, cleaned, then started on prepping our fire and went on to the next thing.,” she said. “At the end of the competition I was very confident in my team's skills and abilities, I knew we did great; and we did. The most rewarding part for me was being able to see the smile on everyone’s faces after being announced Grand Champions. This is an experience I will forever cherish, especially my career as an upcoming chef.”
Cigarroa High School extends its gratitude to Webb County Commissioner Jesse Gonzalez and Variety Meats for sponsoring the students in this exciting competition. This win showcases the talent and commitment of Cigarroa’s students and the limitless potential they bring to the table.