A Packed House, Powerful Lessons, and a Night to Remember: EHAS INC Youth Empowerment Culinary Competition Recap

Cornell Bunting
Sep 22
3 min read

On Monday, September 15th, 2025, the Ascent at Metropolitan in Naples, FL, came alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of creativity, courage, and community. The EHAS INC Youth Empowerment Culinary Competition brought together three executive chefs and twelve youth from across Southwest Florida and Miami, transforming the evening into an unforgettable celebration of mentorship, skill-building, and empowerment.

The Teams Take the Stage

The heart of the competition centered on three dynamic teams of young chefs, each guided by an experienced professional:

The Rollin’ Pins, led by Chef Dwayne
Pumpkin Smashers, led by Chef Amy
The Fighters, led by Chef Mishel Pina

Each team had four youth participants representing Immokalee, Fort Myers, Naples, and Miami. For the kids, this was more than a cooking challenge — it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from professionals, gain confidence, and work together to bring their creativity to life.

A Full House and a Warm Welcome

With a packed house of attendees from across Southwest Florida, the energy was electric from the start. Guests were welcomed with 150 hors d’oeuvres prepared by the youth teams, giving the audience the power to cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award.

Emcee Shari Armstrong kept the night flowing with her signature energy and warmth, acknowledging the judges as they tasted each dish and encouraging the crowd to stay engaged throughout the competition.

The Culinary Journey

The competition unfolded in three thrilling rounds:

Appetizer Round (5:20–5:45 PM)
Main Course Round (5:50–6:30 PM)
Dessert Round (6:40–7:20 PM)

With each dish, the youth demonstrated not only their growing kitchen skills but also their ability to listen, collaborate, and perform under pressure. Judges scored teams on taste, presentation, teamwork, technique, and creativity, while the audience eagerly awaited the final results.

And the Winners Are…

After nearly three hours of cooking, tasting, and judging, the results were in:

EHAS Culinary Trophy Winner: The Rollin’ Pins, led by Chef Dwayne, took home the grand prize for best overall team.
Second Place + People’s Choice Award: The Fighters, guided by Chef Mishel, won second place and captured the hearts of the crowd, taking home the People’s Choice Award.
Best Chef Mentor: Chef Mishel Pina received special recognition from the youth themselves, earning the Mentor Chef Trophy for her outstanding leadership and support.

Memorable Moments

The night was filled with inspiring highlights. Among them:

Phil from Wam Bam Podcast traveled all the way from Atlanta to cheer on the kids in person. His generosity — donating $1,000, merchandise, and copies of his book Money Management Rules for Beginners — empowered the youth with tools for both creativity and financial literacy.
Tito Ortiz, one of the event judges, was visibly moved and shared how he was “blown away by everyone’s performance.”
Sponsors, families, and community members packed the venue, proving that when a community comes together, young lives are transformed.

Beyond the Kitchen

Perhaps the most meaningful outcome of the evening is what comes next. The kids didn’t just gain cooking skills; they gained access to mentorship. Now, whenever they have questions, need guidance, or want to experience a professional kitchen firsthand, the participating executive chefs have opened their doors for continued interaction. This ongoing relationship is what makes the Youth Empowerment Culinary Competition so much more than a one-night event — it’s a steppingstone toward a brighter future.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

This event would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors. We extend heartfelt thanks to: Wam Bam Podcast, Miniopolis, The Rose House, Landolac Designs, 3D Women’s Health, Visions Band, Saigon Baguette, Torch Hot Yoga, Tito’s Cantina, Laplaya Beach and Golf Resort, Shangri-La Springs, Ascent at Metropolitan, Zach Franklin, and Cadeau Café.

Your support empowered our youth to dream big, step out of their comfort zones, and shine under the spotlight.

Support Our Mission

The success of this event proves the power of mentorship and community — but our work doesn’t stop here. EHAS INC continues to provide programs that equip youth in Southwest Florida, Jamaica, and beyond with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to thrive.

Here’s how you can help:

Donate today to fund future youth programs: https://live.givebutter.com/c/xJCCko
Volunteer your time or expertise to mentor and support youth.
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