April 6, 2026 - Center Grove High School student Kay Gallo, working with culinary instructor Susanne Ebacher-Grier, earned first place at the American Culinary Federation Greater Indianapolis Chapter’s April Fools Mystery Basket Challenge on Saturday, April 4, at the Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center in Indianapolis.

The annual April Fools Mystery Basket Challenge pairs students with professional chefs in a fast-paced, team-based competition. Each team receives a surprise basket of ingredients, including a required protein and an unexpected “wildcard” item, and must quickly plan and prepare a dish using only the provided ingredients and a shared pantry.

Gallo and Ebacher-Grier secured the win with a creative menu that included a duck fat chocolate cake. Their first-place finish also earned them a Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships.