*PHOTOS* Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School Hosts 4th Annual Vocational Slider Challenge

MARLBOROUGH — The aroma of freshly grilled burgers was in the air at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School on Tuesday as four culinary arts programs from across the state battled to see who could create the tastiest slider at the 4th Annual Vocational Slider Challenge. 

Teams from Assabet Valley, Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School, Blackstone Valley Technical High School and Shawsheen Valley Technical High School worked alongside each other in the Assabet kitchens to whip up their creations. 

For the past four years, Assabet has participated alongside culinary students from across the state in the Vocational Slider Challenge. Assabet hosted the inaugural Slider Challenge in 2021. Shawsheen Tech and Blackstone Valley Tech hosted in the past two years.

This year’s event was sold out with 135 customers, including regulars of Assabet’s on-site restaurant The Epicurean, local chefs and public safety officials as well as Assabet’s educational and vocational staff.

As customers entered the Epi for the event, they confirmed their reservation time slot and were guided to the buffet line where student chefs from each school served them their sliders.

With their plates full of burgers, attendees were then welcomed to grab a second plate of sides courtesy of McCain and a beverage courtesy of Pepsi. The ground beef was donated by Schweid & Sons and Piantedosi donated the buns. 

After tasting each slider, customers filled out their voting card and placed it in a basket near the exit.

Throughout the event, customers shared their thoughts and opinions on each slider with their fellow participants and students. 

One guest announced to students: “You know what’s a real shame? That you can’t all be winners because you all did a fantastic job. Every slider was delicious.”

After the customers filed out, Epicurean Club of Boston President Tim Foley, HAAC, was given the floor to announce the winner.

Blackstone Valley Tech’s patty melt, complete with melty Swiss and American cheeses, caramelized onions and BVT burger sauce, was awarded first place. The school will have its name added to a trophy, which it will keep until next year’s competition.

It was also announced that Shawsheen Valley Tech won the raffle and was awarded a donated 22-inch Blackstone Grill with accessories, valued at $300.

Assabet’s team was chosen to compete based on the results of an internal competition held before the big event. Several teams of Assabet culinary students cooked up different sliders to be judged by cafeteria staff. The winning team was chosen to represent the school at the Slider Challenge. 

Assabet’s “Cuban Slider” was praised for its creativity, featuring supreme mustard spread, house made pickles, ham, Swiss cheese, and mojo pulled pork.

While Assabet has yet to take home the trophy, Chef Instructor Louis Trudeau emphasized that this event is all about the teamwork for students.

“I’ve been at Assabet for 22 years now, and these events are great because they allow students to collaborate and work together,” he said. “Assabet has one of the largest kitchens in the state, allowing us to host these types of things. It’s wonderful because students from across Massachusetts can come and see other programs, explore our shop and discover new equipment. We’re thankful we get to partner with our fellow vocational schools to hold events like this.”

Assabet’s Culinary Arts instructors collaborated on this event. The new Baking Instructor Danielle Corkhum handled dessert and new Lead Teacher Chef Alex D’Amcis supported the event. Chef Trudeau led the coordination of the event.

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