CHS Roastin’ Redhounds finish second at state

Corbin High School’s Roastin’ Redhounds ended their season as the runner-up in the junior chef competition.

The team of Sarah Sawyers, Ken Trudell and Makenzie Bellew lost Friday’s state final match held at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville to Montgomery County.

Coach Jessica Lester said it is a successful run for the team that brought home $36,000 in scholarships to Sullivan University in Lexington.

Each team member earned $10,000.

Sawyers earned an additional $6,000 as she was named “Most Valuable Chef” in the competition.

Lester, who previously commented about Sawyers’ ability to answer the judges’ questions while continuing to work, said the judges praised her for her upbeat, positive attitude throughout the competition.

Lester said this marks the furthest the Redhounds have ever advanced in the state competition.

Corbin defeated Harlan County, Boyle County last week, and Bath County Thursday to earn the right to compete in the final competition.

“I am so extremely proud of these students,” Lester said of her team. “They have worked very hard to get this far and it is unbelievable that we are bringing home this much in scholarship money.”

“They work very well together and have an unbreakable friendship from this experience,” Lester added.