AUSTIN — AUSTIN -- Do you think you could choose the best taco out of 88 different recipes?
That's the challenge for the judges at the Austin ISD Ultimate Taco Challenge, with each recipe prepared by middle school students.
In 2018, 340 students were broken into teams and created 88 different taco recipes.
Judges at each school picked their favorite, and six finalist teams will go head-to-head to win the ultimate AISD taco award.
"I feel excited and nervous,” said 8th grader Rosana Salazar.
At Dobie Middle School, the winning team has been practicing for the finals.
"I'm making it into smaller pieces so it's more enjoyable to eat,” said 7th grader Martin Lunatorres.
Each student was in charge of a different step of the process: from making the tortillas, to cooking the pork, to cutting the cabbage slaw.
"The Serrano makes it like a spicy taste,” said 8th grader Will Awounze.
"My part is making the green salsa,” said 7th grader Rosalia Jiminez.
The team of four tried a few different taco recipes before they landed on their winner.
"We started off making different kind of tacos, it was shrimp taco, a black bean taco, we made a vegan taco,” said Jiminez.
"It was great to see them develop as a team and trust each other, and communicate with each other and share each others tastes, talents, ideas,” said Family Consumer Science Teacher Norma Nails.
The students said they were surprised to hear they won best taco at their school.
"I was shocked, when they said the name, I was like 'wait, we won?',” said Jiminez.
"I never knew you could make such amazing tacos and delicious in such low time,” said Lunatorres.
The Dobie Middle School team will compete against five other finalist teams from across the district for the title of ultimate taco.
"They judge the tacos based on taste, creativity and appearance,” said Ryan Cengel, the dietitian for the district.
This is the second year for the sliced and diced competition. In 2017, finalists made smoothies.
Cengel said the competition is an opportunity for the kids to show a little bit of what they do.
"To improve the quality of the food in our cafeterias, as far as taste and nutrition, and providing healthy and tasty meals to all our students in AISD,” said Cengel.
The students said they are ready to cook and compete.
"I feel like we're going to win,” said Salazar.
The final competition will be Friday May 18. Six judges, including Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz, will choose a winning team, which will be featured on the district’s lunch menu next year.