High school students in an advanced culinary class put their skills to the test in a hands-on competition to create the best-selling pizza at Wise Guys Pizzeria in Grapevine, Texas.
As part of the project, students were tasked not only with developing unique pizza recipes but also calculating costs and pitching their concepts to the restaurant.
“I love cooking so much. I have since I was a little kid,” said Macy Lanier, one of the students participating in the challenge.
A Friendly Competition with a Surprise Twist
The class was divided into three teams, each crafting a different pizza:
- The Maui Monster
- The OG Twist
- The Don Maca-Loni
Initially, students expected only one pizza to be chosen for the menu. However, Wise Guys Pizzeria owner Kevin McNamara had a different idea.
“Because all of them were so great, we decided we’re going to let the guests decide,” McNamara said.
To celebrate the achievement, the students took a field trip to see their pizzas featured on the menu. Over the next six weeks, each pizza will be available for two weeks, with sales determining the ultimate winner.
More Than Just a Cooking Lesson
Beyond creating recipes, the project introduced students to the business and marketing aspects of the restaurant industry.
“There’s always the friendly competition there as well,” said student Albin.
For many, the challenge was more than just a class project—it was a step toward their future careers.
“My dream is to own a restaurant,” said Jorge Garcia.
Instructor Kaylie Kotecki emphasized the real-world lessons students gained from the experience.
“They actually start in principles of hospitality, where they learn all about the restaurant industry, including the ins and outs,” Kotecki explained.
A Collaboration That Invests in the Future
For the students, seeing their creations come to life was a rewarding experience.
“I get proud of myself when I can make something that looks good and tastes good, and people say, ‘Wow, you made that?'” said Hunter Somerman.
For Wise Guys Pizzeria, the collaboration was about more than just pizza—it was about fostering the next generation of culinary professionals.
“We’re super excited to have these kids be a part of the future story of Wise Guys Pizzeria,” McNamara said.
Grapevine is located approximately 24 miles from Dallas and 26 miles from Fort Worth.
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