Culinary students from Bailey, Bedichek, Dobie, Kealing and Lamar middle schools along with Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy are putting their skills to the test for the Austin ISD Diced and Sliced Culinary Competition.

What: In this culinary competition, participating teams will represent their school by preparing delicious taco recipes. Each of the six teams will prepare their tacos and present them to a panel of judges, who will score the recipes based on taste, appearance and creativity. Competitors have already been narrowed down at the campus level from 340 to 23 students. Judges for the event are Austin American-Statesman and Austin360.com food writer Addie Broyles, AISD Career and Technology Education Director Tammy Caesar, KXAN Anchor/Reporter Erin Cargile, Superintendent Paul Cruz, Chef de Cusine at L’Oca D’Oro Matt Lester and Tacos of Texas Co-Author Jarod Neece.

The competition includes Johnson's Backyard Garden veggies and AISD's food truck will be onsite serving lunch.

The winning taco recipe will be featured on the 2018-19 school lunch menus.

When: 10:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Friday, May 18

Where: Austin Community College Eastview Campus, Riverbats Café, 3401 Webberville Road, Bldg. 3000