Abijah’s Recipe for Success: Passion, Precision, and a Pinch of Confidence 

For 12-year-old Abijah, learning does not stop when the school day ends. It continues in the kitchen, where creativity, courage, and cast-iron pans take center stage. 

 Abijah is a sixth-grade student at California Virtual Academies (CAVA) and was named one of five national finalists in the 2025 K12 National Cook-Off after submitting a dish unlike any other. He prepared a caribou tartare topped with quail egg and salmon roe, plated on a vintage Goodwill dish, and finished just four seconds before the one-hour deadline. 

“I wanted to be unique,” Abijah said. “I wanted to stand out with something special that you do not see every day.” 

The dish, titled Raw Alaska, was Abijah’s first time preparing tartare, and he taught himself how to make it. With guidance from cooking videos, inspiration from his mom, and a personal connection to the ingredients, he crafted something bold and meaningful. “We had caribou meat from a hunting trip in Alaska a year ago, and I thought it would be cool to use that instead of beef or tuna.” 

Abijah’s love for cooking started early. He made a wagyu steak on his own for the first time at just 10 years old. “I cried when I tasted it,” he said. “It was the first time I made something that good all by myself.” 

He grew up between Los Angeles and a 400-acre ranch in Northern California and has always been surrounded by food and family. “I have been immersed in it,” he said. From fresh eggs to home-raised lamb, he learned to appreciate the farm-to-table lifestyle and developed a refined palate along the way. “Every time I taste something, I can pick out the smallest flavors.” 

He joined CAVA in January 2025 after years of homeschooling. “I was lonely,” he said. “I wanted to meet kids my age.” Since enrolling, Abijah has found community and connection, along with an unexpected opportunity to shine. 

“I just entered the competition for fun,” he said. “When I got the email saying I made the top five, I could not believe it.” 

Next month, Abijah will travel to Arlington, Virginia, for the final round of the competition. He will have one hour to create a new dish from a randomized list of ingredients, followed by a 30-minute dessert round. He is nervous, excited, and ready. 

“Whether I win or not, I have already learned so much just by putting myself out there,” he said. 

At CAVA, we celebrate students like Abijah who bring their passions to life and inspire others to try something new.