Old Colony culinary students dish about their favorite holiday foods

ROCHESTER — Good things come to those who bake! From apple pie to Christmas roast, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School culinary students are rustling up a festive favorite foods for family members and loved ones this holiday season.

For senior and Lakeville resident Anthony Rampino, the star of all holiday foods is mac and cheese.

“The mac and cheese is the best thing at Christmas or Thanksgiving — gotta make sure it’s good,” he said.

When Rampino’s in charge of the mac and cheese, he prefers that it’s “not too soupy or solid.

Justin Ielo, a senior and Lakeville resident, his favorite holiday dish is a perfect Christmas roast.

“It’s one of those things where you just kind of throw everything all in a pan, put it in the oven [and] forget about it — like watch your holiday movies, build the gingerbread house while it’s cooking and then it comes out great anyway,” said Ielo.

Ielo’s secret to a great Christmas roast is to slightly undercook the roast while it’s in the oven.

“When you take it out of the oven, it cooks because it’s still hot enough inside that it’s like that perfect 135 degrees once you’re ready to cut it open,” said Ielo.

Senior and Lakeville resident Leah Hollenbeck enjoys following family food traditions during the holiday season, inspired by her mom and grandma.

“My favorite holiday dish has to be probably meat pie because my mom and grandma make different variations of it,” said Hollenbeck.

Seniors Luke Texeira of Acushnet and Ryan Eby of Carver enjoy whipping up pies for the holidays.

For Texeira, a no-frills, traditional pumpkin pie reigns supreme.

“It’s my favorite pie, and I just love baking,” said Texeira.

Carver said a classic apple pie is his favorite.

“It’s my favorite pie. I like the flavors!” he said.