Anna Gunderman of Phil Campbell won second place in the senior north division of the Alabama Junior & Senior High School Beef Cook-Off April 6 at Carver High School in Montgomery.

Gunderman is a student at Phil Campbell High School and placed with her dish, Low Carb Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers. Gunderman got the opportunity to continue to the state level after a first-place finish at the county competition, hosted for the first time in many years by the Franklin County Junior Cattlemen.

More than 30 Family and Consumers Sciences students ranging from junior to senior high school gathered in Montgomery to present their dish to a panel of judges at the Alabama Beef Checkoff-sponsored event.

Amy Gunderman is the FACS teacher at Phil Campbell High and is also Gunderman’s mother. “I am very proud of her. She is a great cook and an awesome leader,” said Amy. “She is also the Junior Civitan Alabama North District governor, and I am also her Junior Civitan adviser at PCHS. I am very proud that she wants to be involved in things at school and works so hard.”

The dishes were judged on flavor intensity, healthfulness and nutritive balance, palatability and presentation. Throughout judging at the event, students participated in educational classes with Chef Loren Lunde of Trenholm State Community College and registered dietician Elesha Ergle to learn more about the nutrition and proper preparation and handling of beef.

“I am extremely proud of her and all of her accomplishments her senior year,” added father Gary Gunderman, who is a teacher at Tharptown. “To finish second in the state is quite an honor. Also I appreciate the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association for all of their work and opportunities that they offer our students.”

For more information on the event, contact the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association director of education and outreach Ali Cantrell at acantrell@bamabeef.org or by calling 334-265-1867.