Introducing “Newark Chops”, a new reality show hosted by Newark Vocational teacher Chef Calache featuring three teams of high school student chefs competing in cooking challenges for a prize worth over $10,000! Watch as they chop, sauté, bake, and fry their way to victory, facing fun twists and overcoming adversity to produce high quality dishes for the judges!
Meet the Cast

Karisa Neis-Lopez
Principal
Principal Neis-Lopez is a transformational leader known for her strength with building school culture, developing and aligning professional learning communities, data driven instruction, effectively managing the change process and strategic thinking. She prioritizes developing capacity of individuals to become experts of their craft and fosters sustainability of programming to maximize consistency for students. During her tenure as principal, she has consistently cultivated a culture of coaching and development as a means to build a strong academic foundation centered around student growth. Principal Neis-Lopez believes in developing leadership capacity of students in order to prepare them for college and a career. She is committed to developing staff and students to become lifelong learners and very excited for the opportunity to lead at Newark Vocational High School.

Chef John Calache
Teacher/Host
Meet Chef John Calache, the conductor of the Newark Chops kitchen orchestra. This culinary maestro, a proud graduate of Hudson County Community College (A.S.) and Fairleigh Dickinson University (B.S. and M.S.), has been whipping up delicious dishes for over two decades. He honed his skills as the Executive Sous Chef at Verizon’s World Headquarters before embracing his true passion of teaching. What started as a leap of faith turned into the most fulfilling chapter of his life. Don't expect a stuffy professor, Chef Calache brings a unique blend of humor, experience, and genuine enthusiasm to every lesson. He's not just teaching recipes; he's sharing his passion for food, guiding students to discover their own culinary voices, and preparing them for the exciting challenges that lie ahead. When he's not inspiring the next generation of chefs, you can find Chef Calache relaxing with his sweetheart and wonderful daughter, or perhaps reminiscing on his culinary adventures with his family. His favorite movies, Ratatouille and Terminator 2, perfectly capture his philosophy: anyone can cook-even under pressure! Chef Calache believes in the power of life's unexpected recipes and can't wait to see how his students rise to the occasion in the Newark Chops kitchen. Think of him as the secret ingredient that will bring out the best in these young chefs. He believes that this hands on experience will be invaluable in their culinary journeys.
Team Gold

Brian Conza
Grade 12
Brian, the student leader, is ready to bring his leadership skills to the culinary battlefield. This future civil engineer may be more accustomed to blueprints than recipes, but his passion for cooking and his dedication to helping others will be his secret weapons. Don't underestimate this math whiz. He's about to prove that even the most unexpected competitors can cook up a culinary masterpiece. This accomplished student, recognized for his achievements in a math competition during his freshman year and his election as student council Vice President during senior year, is eager to learn and achieve his dreams, no matter the path.

Ronald Martinez
Grade 12
Ronald, inspired by his father's restaurant, is ready to make his culinary mark. This multi-sport athlete brings the teamwork and competitive spirit of the soccer field to the Newark Chops kitchen. Don't let his ACL injury fool you. Ronald's passion for cooking is unwavering. With a focus on happiness and financial stability, Ronald is ready to prove that even a soccer superstar can cook up a winning dish. This award-winning athlete, despite his recent injury, possesses the determination and resilience needed to succeed in the Newark Chops kitchen.

Shaddai Ramos
Grade 12
Shaddai, inspired by her mother's culinary wisdom, is ready to conquer the Newark Chops kitchen. This aspiring doctor may have her sights set on healing bodies, but she's also ready to heal taste buds with her delicious creations. With a focus on helping others, Shaddai is ready to prove that compassion and culinary skill go hand-in-hand. This dedicated student chose NVHS to grow her skills and is eager to showcase her culinary talents on the Newark Chops stage.
Team Purple

Joi Lucas
Grade 12
Joi, a true renaissance woman, is ready to conquer the Newark Chops’ kitchen. From the stage of the Newark Museum to the culinary classroom, Joi embraces every challenge with a zest for life. This unexpected culinary enthusiast is a whirlwind of creativity, and you never know what delicious surprises she'll whip up! With dreams of a career in social work, Joi believes in the power of food to nourish both body and soul. This Honor Roll student with a ServeSafe certificate and an OSHA license is ready to tackle any culinary challenge that comes her way.

Melody Quintanilla
Grade 12
Melody, a whirlwind of energy, brings the rhythm to Team Purple. Inspired by her mom's kitchen magic, Melody's culinary journey is a symphony of flavors. Don't let her dancing feet fool you – she's a force in the kitchen, just as graceful with a knife as she is on the dance floor. With a passion for business, Melody dreams of owning her own restaurant, where the food is as vibrant as her personality. This Honor Roll student embraces every challenge as an opportunity to grow, and she's ready to prove that her culinary skills are as impressive as her dance moves.

Illianis Tejeda
Grade 12
Meet Illanis, the unexpected culinary warrior. Driven by a strong sense of preparedness and a desire to recreate the flavors of home, Illianis brings a unique blend of athleticism and artistry to Team Purple. This multi-sport star, with a voice that could melt butter, is ready to prove that brains and brawn can conquer any culinary obstacle. A decorated student-athlete with awards in singing and various sports, Illianis also possesses a remarkable talent for black and white art, considering it her "home away from home."
Team White

Luis Maldonado
Grade 12
Luis, a culinary prodigy, is ready to elevate Team White to new heights. From assisting his mother in the kitchen to dominating culinary competitions, Luis has always been a force in the food world. This future Chef de Cuisine brings the discipline of a weightlifter and the passion of a true artist to every dish. Watch out, competition – Luis is coming for the gold. With a third-place award already under his belt, Luis is driven to continuously challenge himself and push his culinary boundaries.

Lilly Rivera
Grade 12
Lilly, the "Breakfast Club" mastermind, is ready to trade toast for triumph. This zoology enthusiast may be more comfortable with animals than aprons, but her organizational skills and unwavering determination will be her secret weapons. Don't underestimate this Super Honor Roll student. She's about to prove that even a budding zoologist can cook up a storm. As a student-manager of the school's Breakfast Club, Lilly has honed her organizational and managerial abilities - skills that will undoubtedly serve her well in the Newark Chops kitchen.

Randy Vasquez
Grade 12
Randy, the entrepreneurial spirit, is bringing his savvy small business mind to the Newark Chops kitchen. This culinary visionary, fueled by passion and a relentless work ethic, is ready to impress the judges. From frying eggs to conquering the culinary world, Randy's journey has been a delicious adventure. With a CDL license in his sights, this rising star is ready to drive his culinary dreams to new heights. This high achieving student and former Student of the Year is ready to prove that his culinary talents are as impressive as his academic achievements.
Special Thanks to all of our Judges

Kai Campbell
Restaurant Owner, "The Yard"
Kai Campbell, a third-generation Newarker now raising a fourth, has always sought to do what's best for the people of his hometown through a focus on economic development. An alum of Harriet Tubman Elementary School and The University of Virginia, he was blessed with an education both fortunate and empowering.
Early in his career he worked as an economist for the City of Newark, before first forming his own consulting firm and subsequently what would develop into the Walla Food and Beverage Group. Kai is committed to investing in Newark and is directing his development efforts to improving the quality of life in the city through hospitality that focuses on quality products and respectful customer service, while strengthening the community. His first restaurant was Burger Walla, a burger joint with an Indian twist. He also purchased the famed Bragman's Delicatessen, the city's oldest remaining Jewish deli, and most recently opened The Yard located in Military Park.
Kai, a father of two vibrant young ladies, has other plans and aspirations for his city, centered on advancing economic prosperity and social health with the goal of promoting self-sufficiency for all in Newark. Like his parents, he is an activist, whose mediums of choice are economics and planning. As a son and a parent, he hopes to continue the tradition of futurism that propels his community forward.

Jesse Jones
Private Chef/Cookbook Author "P.O.W."
A lifelong resident of Newark, Chef Jesse Jones is a celebrated chef and author known for his innovative take on Southern cuisine. His culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen in Snow Hill, North Carolina, where he learned the art of cooking from scratch. Chef Jesse’s passion extends beyond the kitchen. He is a dedicated community member, supporting organizations like the Newark Institute of Culinary Education and HealthCorps. He is also a successful entrepreneur, having owned Heart & Soul Restaurant and catered for numerous celebrities. A attended Hudson County Community College’s Culinary Arts Institute, Chef Jesse has honed his skills in top kitchens throughout New Jersey. His cookbook and memoir, “POW! My Life in 40 Feasts,” and his frequent media appearances showcase his talent and charisma.

Shaquay Peacock
Private Chef/Recipe Developer
Shaquay Peacock, has held about every position in the culinary field. From Sous Chef at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Executive Dining Room Chef at The New York Times, Yacht Chef, Food Writer & Photographer for various publications to her current position as a Private Chef and Recipe Developer.
Shaquay has also served as an online culinary instructor for children at a non-profit called The Sylvia Center, as well as a culinary nutrition advisor responsible for inputting recipes in a database to create nutritional breakdowns for food labels. Shaquay is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University holding a B.A. in a Culinary Nutrition and A.S. in Culinary Arts.
When she is not working, she is traveling the world for culture and inspiration, visiting over 20 countries and cooking in kitchens all over the world including Spain, Thailand and Mexico.