Aspiring chefs in Temecula are once again getting real world experience at Pechanga Resort Casino’s Battle of the Burgers.
The fundraiser takes place at noon-3 p.m. on Oct. 18 in the resort’s Grand Ballroom.
There are two parts to the competition. Restaurants in southwest Riverside County enter burgers off of their menus or create new items for the event, while small groups of students from the Temecula Valley Unified School District create their own loaded fries with the guidance of Pechanga chefs.
The teens also provide food services to the judges behind the scenes at the event, working both both the front and back of the house.
Amanda Colello, a chef at Pechanga Resort Casino, smells the sauce prepared by Temecula Valley High School students on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in the school kitchen. The session is part of a four-program training preparing students for careers in restaurants ahead of the Battle of the Burgers fundraiser at Pechanga Resort Casino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)“I think this is good exposure to get to work alongside us. And I think it’s an amazing opportunity for us to pay it forward to the youth,” Amanda Colello, chef de cuisine of Paisano’s, said in a phone interview.
Colello meets with students at Temecula Valley High School before the event, working with three to five teenagers at a time. Students come up with their own concepts for loaded fries, which she helps them refine.
“The guidance I gave them is teaching them a bit about flavor profiles and what tastes good with what, what might not work.”
Amanda Colello, chef at Pechanga Resort Casino, gives Temecula Valley High School students advice on their loaded fry recipe on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in the school kitchen. The session is part of a four-program training preparing students for careers in restaurants. In advance of the Battle of the Burgers fundraiser at Pechanga Resort Casino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Ronald Sanchez, chef at Pechanga Resort Casino, tastes a dish prepared by Temecula Valley High School students on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in the school kitchen. The session is part of a four-program training preparing students for careers in restaurants. In advance of the Battle of the Burgers fundraiser at Pechanga Resort Casino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Temecula Valley High School student Jaydan Colgan concentrates on a portion of a loaded fry recipe on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in the school kitchen. The session is part of a four-program training preparing students for careers in restaurants. In advance of the Battle of the Burgers fundraiser at Pechanga Resort Casino, chefs attend the class to give tips and observe. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Temecula Valley High School student Jaydan Colgan plates her team’s loaded fry recipe, garlic parmesan shrimp with her sauce on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in the school kitchen. The session is part of a four-program training preparing students for careers in restaurants. In advance of the Battle of the Burgers fundraiser at Pechanga Resort Casino, chefs attend the class to give tips and observe. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Temecula Valley High School students prepare for a loaded fry recipe on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in the school kitchen. The session is part of a four-program training preparing students for careers in restaurants. In advance of the Battle of the Burgers fundraiser at Pechanga Resort Casino, chefs attend the class to give tips and observe. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Show Caption1 of 5Amanda Colello, chef at Pechanga Resort Casino, gives Temecula Valley High School students advice on their loaded fry recipe on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in the school kitchen. The session is part of a four-program training preparing students for careers in restaurants. In advance of the Battle of the Burgers fundraiser at Pechanga Resort Casino. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) ExpandHospitality, Tourism, and Recreation is one of 12 pathways in the district’s Career Technical Education program. The culinary arts pathway provides three or four years of training, according to Malaysia Bergquist, a Temecula Valley High School culinary teacher.
Most students start as freshmen or sophomores.
“They learn all of the traditional, classic French techniques. We start with knife cuts. We talk about the mother sauces, the base of our roux. Going into Culinary 2, they’re starting to create dishes with that. They’re also learning front-of-house aspects, hospitality. They learn how to serve. They learn how to bus, host. And then they learn the catering side. And then in Culinary 3, they’re pretty much ready to take the lead. That’s where Battle of the Burgers comes in,” she said in a separate interview.
Students benefit from interacting with customers at the event as well as the fast-paced environment, she said.
“Even if we’re in the kitchen here and we’re busy all the time, it’s not the same as when they’re having to create something for 500, 1,200 guests. They learn that sense of urgency, and that’s such a positive.”
Pre-sale tickets are $43, including fees, or $32.50 for students age 6-18. All proceeds benefit the culinary arts program.
Admission includes samples, according to the school district.
The resort is at 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula.
Information: pechanga.com, tvusd.k12.ca.us
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