Massachusetts Students Advance to NASA With Winning Taco Recipe

A group of high school students from the SouthCoast of Massachusetts is making headlines with their out-of-this-world recipe.

The culinary team at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School is bringing its winning taco recipe to NASA for a nationwide competition.

"This is our fifth time competing and our third time heading to nationals," Dining Room Instructor Ashley Ulett said.

How the NASA HUNCH Competition Works

The competition spans the entire school year. "In September and October, teams must complete a preliminary research paper on the effects of space travel on the body, the nutritional needs of astronauts in space, and how food is processed for space travel," Ulett explained.

Meet the Student Culinary Team

The team of aspiring chefs is comprised of seniors Ryan Eby, Leah Hollenbeck, Justin Ielo, and Anthony Rampino, and juniors Elena Tan and Scarlet Savaria.

Ashley Ulett

In the beginning of the school year, the culinary crew must create two recipes that fit the theme assigned by the Hunch competition.

The Winning Recipe: Chicken Vindaloo Tacos

Their recipe for Chicken Vindaloo Tacos got these young chefs a spot in the finals.

What Is Vindaloo?

Vindaloo is a spicy, flavorful, tangy curry commonly used in Portuguese and other cuisines. Its vinegar, garlic and ginger base can be used to season chicken and other meats.

"In November/December, they are informed which recipe the JSC food lab chose for them to make. In February, they participate in a preliminary round," Ulett said. "From there, the scores are submitted to the NASA Hunch program and the Top 10 are invited to Houston for the final round."

Once in Houston, the students will make their tacos and present them to a panel of judges. "They also have to complete a final research paper and a two-minute video showcasing their team," Ulett said.

How the Team Is Raising Funds

To help offset travel and competition expenses, the Old Colony Culinary Competition Team is hosting a grab-and-go pasta dinner fundraiser on April 15. Email cougarsden@oldcolony.info for more information.

An online donation page has also been set up for anyone wishing to assist.

Old Colony Regional Vocational, "Industry Signing Day"

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School celebrated its first-ever Industry Signing Day, during which students signed on for their first jobs right out of school.

Gallery Credit: Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School Facebook

15 SouthCoast Menu Items We Wish We Had the Recipe For

From Portuguese food to sweet treats, these local dishes are a crowd favorite we wished we had the recipe for.

Gallery Credit: Gazelle

LOOK: 31 breathtaking images from NASA's public library

In 2017, NASA opened the digital doors to its image and video library website, allowing the public to access more than 140,000 images, videos, and audio files. The collection provides unprecedented views of space. Stacker reviewed the collection to select 31 of the most breathtaking images, including the first from the James Webb Space Telescope. Keep reading to see these stunning images, curated with further information about the captured scenes.

Gallery Credit: Deborah Brosseau