Congaree student is district's top chef

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A third-grade Congaree Elementary student is the winner of the 10th Annual Future Chef competition.


Daniah Hart was the top chef in a field of 13 finalists, all third-, fourth- and fifth-graders representing the district's elementary schools. Finalists were selected from an original field of 200 recipes, all themed to “reimagined” school dishes.


Daniah's winning dish was turkey tacos with kale. Finalists’ recipes in the March 12 event, held at the Innovation Center, were scored by a panel of judges. 


In addition to Daniah, other finalists and their schools were:


Cayce Elementary: Jaiya Johns 

Congaree Elementary: Harrington Lowman

Riverbank Elementary: Maddox Ashley, Sadie Roberts, Christopher Webb

Saluda River Academy for the Arts: Peyton Durrett, Anthony Ramirez Rico

Springdale Elementary: James Baldwin, Colden Pumphrey, Jayden Taber

Wood Elementary: Isabella Szczechowski, Alexis Wiggins


Daniah will now represent Lexington Two at the statewide competition. The event is presented by Sodexo.