GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - High schoolers around the Valley are putting their taste buds to the test.

The Annual Pro-Start High School Regional Cooking Competition took place today at the Western Colorado Community College.

The event was hosted by the culinary arts program at the college.

This year featured seven teams from five different Western slope schools; all working to claim the top prize.

"We try to plan this 2 to 3 weeks before the state cooking competition where these teams will be around 35 teams total and it’s an opportunity for them to have a scrimmage before that big state event," said Dan Kirby, with the Western Colorado Community College.

The teams included two from Palisade and Fruita, along with one from Aspen, Roaring Fork and Durango.

Winners will advance to the state cook-off in the coming weeks.