Wisconsin Virtual Academy scholar competes in National Cook-Off

MADISON, Wis. -- The K12 National Cook-Off announced Thursday that Andrew Endo, a Madison-area seventh grader at Wisconsin Virtual Academy, has a chance at winning the in-person final round in Virginia.

The K12 National Cook-Off is a cooking competition designed for budding chefs in sixth through twelfth grade, with a $1,000 grand prize. The WIVA said Endo was one of six finalists selected from more than 300 contestants in the first round of the competition, and is the only Wisconsin chef to make it to the final round.

To earn a spot in the final, the WIVA said chefs had to prepare an original dish containing an ingredient starting with the letter "C," a green ingredient, a source of protein, an ingredient from the freezer, at least three spices that are not salt or pepper, and any other ingredients of their choice. Each dish had to be submitted with step-by-step directions, a description of why it was made, and three photos, from start to finish.

The WIVA said Endo prepared a dish inspired by his family's heritage: fish wrapped in kelp served over basmati rice with candied crickets. That dish earned him a paid trip to the final round in Arlington, Virginia, where he prepared another dish judged by celebrity chef David Ho, from Chopped.

The WIVA said the K12 National Cook-Off Finals will be aired on Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Entries will be judged on taste, presentation, creativity, timeliness, and food safety. The winners of the competition will be announced on the livestream .

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