Fifth graders competed Oct. 25 at Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School in Lexington County School District 3’s first-ever Chopped competition.

“Group members [had] 45 minutes to work together to create a delectable dish using three mystery ingredients,” a release explains. “Each cooking station [had] the same ingredients as well as a single burner, saute pan and cooking utensils. There [was also] a pantry available for teams to select other food items to complement their mystery ingredients.”

Each of the four teams of three students had a school café manager guiding them.

Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Lancer Shull was the MC for the event, which was judged by District 3 Superintendent Ashley Atkinson, District 3 Assistant Superintendent Ralph Schmidt, Sherrie Shealy Jumper with Shealy’s BBQ and Chad James from WP Rawl Farms in Pelion.

The winning team was Olandia Oakman, Arian Oakman and Ivan Pascau, who were helped by Café Manager Lee Stone.