The 2023 Culineering Challenge Grand Champion team is The Kraken Krew from Mercer County Technical Education Center. Pictured from left to right: Donald Pendergrass, Mike Stennett, Allison Turner, Berry Jones, Joseph Hill, Ashlynn Jones and Ariel Price.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) Office of Career Exploration and Student Engagement is pleased to announce the winner of the Second Annual Culineering Challenge. The Kraken Krew from the Mercer County Technical Education Center (MCTEC) was named grand champion during the awards presentation at the Mountwest Culinary Arts Center in Huntington. MCTEC win was a part of an exhilarating nautical competition that showcased the unique applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as well as culinary and hospitality skills.
Each team consisted of two culinary students, two engineering students and one social media influencer who worked together to design and build an aquatic robotic vessel that they navigated through a pool obstacle course at the Marshall University Aquatic Center. While in the water, teams delivered desserts to a panel of judges. The social media influencer documented the team’s progress over various platforms. The Tasty Gearheads from Doddridge County High School won second place, and the Baker Bots from Marion County Technical Center earned third place.
Participating teams included:
| School Name | Team Name | County | Social Media |
| Doddridge County High School | Tasty Gearheads | Doddridge | Facebook: TheTasty Gearheads Instagram: @thetastygearheads23 |
| Hundred High School | Hornet Buzz | Wetzel | Facebook: Hornet Buzz |
| Huntington High School | Huntington High ProStart | Cabell | Facebook: Huntington High ProStart |
| James Rumsey Technical Institute | JRTI STEAM Team | Berkeley | Facebook: JRTI STEAM Team |
| Marion County Technical Center | Marion Baker Bots | Marion | Facebook: Marion Baker Bots Instagram: @marionbakerbots |
| Mason County Technical Center | Mason County Career Center | Mason | Facebook: Mason County Career Center |
| Mercer County Technical Education Center | MCTEC | Mercer | Facebook: MCTEC Instagram: @mctecmercer X (Twitter): MCTEC |
| Shady Spring High School | Raleigh County Robotics | Raleigh | Instagram: @raleighcountyrobotics X (Twitter): shadyspringrobo |
| Wyoming County Technical Center | WCCTC | Wyoming | Facebook: WCCTC Instagram: @wyomingcountyctc |
Awards included $5,000 for the grand champion team; $3,000 for second place, and $2,000 for third place. Additionally, each student on the grand champion team received $200 provided by the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association and Education Foundation.
