Army chef Daniel Arshadnia, a Lawrence H.S. graduate, wins medal in Culinary Arts Competition in Fort Lee, Virginia.

Army Reserve Spc. Daniel Arshadnia, a Lawrence High School graduate, won a gold medal in the 35th U.S. Army Culinary Arts Competition at Fort Lee, Va. on March 2. Arshadnia, a Food Service Specialist with the 854th Engineer Battalion in Kingston, N.Y., is currently competing as a member of the Army Reserve’s 15-person team. Arshadnia scored the first gold medal for the Army Reserve team preparing a sautéed chicken breast with portobello mushrooms and truffle oil, risotto, pan steamed asparagus and red pepper couli. Arshadnia, 22, has been in the Army two years after graduating in 2008 from the Culinary Institute of America. He has been a cook since age 15. The Culinary Arts Competition at Fort Lee has been held since 1973 and is the largest culinary competition in the U.S. The competition is sanctioned by the American Culinary Federation and showcases the talents of military chefs from around the globe in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.