Queensbury Middle School teacher Jeremy Williams took a scoop of food and plopped it down on his paper plate in the media center Monday.
“I’ve been excited for days that I didn’t have to make my lunch today,” Williams said standing in front of a table boasting pulled pork, gnocchi, baked ziti, mac ‘n’ cheese, corn chowder, apple crisp, homemade bread, dips, chips, and an assortment of desserts like oatmeal cream pie cookies and caramel pecan chocolate layer bars.
The QMS Character Education Team hosted a Comfort Food Cook-off Monday in the media center, where 14 staff members showed off the delectable dishes. Team member Becca Carnevalla said the team tried to hold this event last year but their plans were stymied by a snow day. They originally planned a chili cook-off, but that idea grew to include other forms of comfort food.
Staff members paid $5 to fill their plates — and their stomachs — and all proceeds benefited the QMS Adopt-a-family program, which provides holiday gift assistance for more than 30 middle school families.
Participants voted on which dishes deserved to be praised as the best in three categories: “sweet,” “savory” and “most unique.” Winners received a cutting board, pot holder and an engraved wooden spoon.
The cook-off also served as an opportunity for faculty members to gather, bond and socialize.
“I eat in my classroom, because I’m working while I’m eating,” said team member Susie Cunningham. “So it got us out of our classroom to socialize and be together.”