While the Apex High team was cooking away in Kentucky at the Southeast Jr. Chef Competition, two NC Jr. Chef finalist teams presented during the Thrive NCFestival in Raleigh hosted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Jr. chefs from Parkwood High in Union County and Hobbton High in Sampson County presented on stage among James Beard awardees and nominees Ashley Christensen, Vivian Howard, Meherwan Irani, Cheetie Kumar, Keith Rhodes, and Cynthia Wong along with other local celebrity chefs. The students shared about their experience with the Jr. Chef Competition and how they created their recipes. They also had the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the mentor chefs at the event. The Thrive NC festival showcased talented chefs and producers from across the state and was paired with a day-long summit that highlighted the need for healthy food access for all.