Pryor High School students competing in Food Fight Season 1.
“Food Fight – A Student Competition” is a new reality-style show that invites high school students to compete in the kitchen to win college scholarships. Season 1 debuts on Rogers State University Public Television Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, at 7 p.m.
Each episode challenges participants to prepare up to four recipes in one hour and present their dishes to judges for scoring. Points are based on technical skill, teamwork and creativity. Teams of three from Grove, Inola, Pryor, Sequoyah, Stilwell, Union and Vinita high schools face off weekly until the two teams with the highest point totals meet in the championship round Oct. 23.
The program is produced by RSU TV staff and students and is presented by the ONE Gas Energy Efficiency Rebate Program and host location the ONE Gas Education and Training Area.
Food Fight production began with a battle outside of the heat of the kitchen. A bitter winter storm disrupted the original recording schedule earlier this year. RSU TV producers then worked with the teacher coaches to convert from a single elimination bracket to a competition for total points. Another weather complication left a team waiting on their opponent. When it became clear that the opposing team wouldn’t make it, three students on the RSU production team demonstrated the ultimate workforce skill of flexibility.
“It was so cool to watch the RSU students put down their cameras and put on the Food Fight aprons to transform from a TV crew to a team of chefs-in-training at a moment’s notice. Their quick action saved the day and allowed the other team to compete without another trip,” said Sam McCombs, RSU TV education and engagement specialist/producer. “It turned into one of the most entertaining episodes and my personal favorite.”
The RSU student team scores did not count or affect the outcome for the high school teams in any other way.
Members of the team placing first in the championship will each receive a $1,500 scholarship to RSU, or a $1,000 scholarship to any college of their choice. Second-place team members will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to RSU, or a $500 scholarship to any college of their choice.
RSU TV is currently accepting applications from schools to compete in Season 2 of Food Fight in late March/early April 2024.
To enter, contact Sam McCombs, RSU TV education and engagement specialist/producer at 918-343-7849 or by email at [email protected].
RSU TV is Oklahoma’s only full-powered public television station licensed to a public university and the state’s only educational television station outside of the Public Broadcasting Service network.
Watch RSU TV over the air at UHF Channel 35 or Digital Channels 35.1, 35.2, 35.3, or online via the livestream or on-demand content at rsu.tv. Check local guides for cable and satellite carrier channels.
Sequoyah High School students competing in Food Fight Season 1.