Everett High School (EHS) students will make their television debut when the latest episode of “Wicked Bites” airs on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. on the New England Sports Network (NESN).
“Wicked Bites” hosts Scott Whitley and Leigh Jeanine filmed an extensive segment during the annual Whitsons Culinary Challenge, a competition that gives junior Culinary Arts students the chance to develop and execute recipes that meet school lunch guidelines — and, of course, taste delicious. Filmed on April 9, 2026, inside the Crimson Cafe, the telecast will showcase the skills and creativity of five teams that prepared and served their dishes to the show hosts along with Mike DiMascio, Joe Armenti, and Chef Charlie Giovinco from Whitsons Culinary Group, the food services provider to the Everett Public Schools.
The winning dish — chicken teriyaki over whole grain rice with broccoli, with a strawberry smoothie — was developed by Sarah Jasmin and Marco Pleitez. The two students will work with EHS Executive Chef Giovinco in preparing and serving the selection to the student body during EHS’s lunch periods on Monday, May 4, 2026.
“Our thanks to the ‘Wicked Bites’ team for spending so much time with our students and shining a bright spotlight on our Career and Technical Education Department,” said Superintendent of Schools William D. Hart. “Scott and Leigh brought great energy to the Crimson Cafe, and our students were more than up to the task. My thanks to Culinary Department Head Carolynn Parmenter and to our partners at Whitsons for hosting this awesome opportunity for our students.”
In addition to Sarah and Marco, the following students competed in the Challenge:
Raymond Blauvelt, Whitney Coimbra Pereira, Ashlee De La Roca Penate, Kaylee Lainez Ruiz, Anthony Lopes, Carla Reeves, Brianna Squillacioti, Jonathan Vasquez Rivera, and Jonathan Zavala.
“Wicked Bites” features restaurants and chefs from around New England. The show will air Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. and again at 10 p.m. on Sunday.
The Whitsons Culinary Challenge winning dish — chicken teriyaki over whole grain rice with broccoli, and a strawberry smoothie — was made by Everett High School juniors Sarah Jasmin and Marco Pleitez.