Four Long Beach High School culinary students received the opportunity of a lifetime when they were invited to cook with Executive Chef Ed Cotton, who was a runner-up on the seventh season of Top Chef. Cotton, who received his Associate of Occupational Studies from the Culinary Institute of America, has also appeared on Food Network's Iron Chef America as Cat Cora's sous chef.

Matthew Birnbaum, Aleeyah Page, Alexandra Schustek and Julianna Zaharias traveled with family and consumer sciences teacher Scott Brecher to Manhattan’s Fishtail by David Burke, where Cotton is the executive chef. Cotton welcomed the students into his kitchen, where they donned chef coats to prepare two types of chowder and some homemade oyster crackers. Cotton worked with the students throughout the entire process, providing insight and education. The soup they prepared was served to restaurant patrons that evening.

“It was exciting to be able to give my students a glimpse into the life of a real executive chef,” said Mr. Brecher.