Culinary Students Win Silver Award

COCC CULINARY TEAM PLATES UP SILVER AWARD AT NATIONAL COMPETITION

The Cascade Culinary Institute (CCI) at Central Oregon Community College (COCC) competed in the American Culinary Federations Western regional competition at Joliet Junior College in Illinois, Feb. 3-5, and brought home a silver award for their edible efforts, the best showing CCI has ever had.

"There were over 100 competitors participating in the two-day event," said Department Chair Thor Erickson, "and the team returned with a record-breaking win for CCI and a silver medal in the team competition." The two-day competition consisted of a "cooking salon," a four-course menu prepped, prepared and plated in 90 minutes, and a "skills salon," an 80-minute relay-style event consisting of pastry, knife and butchery skills.

The student competition team consisted of Moises Becerra, Dustin Christean, Damon Press, Andrea Ramos-Pyne, Kiana Rodriguez, George Vassaur and Caleb White. The team assistant was Merry Gourley. Laura Hagen and David Trask served as instructor-coaches.

Founded in 1929, the American Culinary Federation is a professional organization for chefs and cooks that promotes the professional image of American chefs worldwide through education of culinarians at all levels.

For more information, contact: Thor Erickson, Chef Instructor and Department Chair, Cascade Culinary Institute, 541-318-3707

Culinary team, left to right: Kiana Rodriguez, Damon Press, Dustin Christean, Moises Becerra, George Vassaur and Andrea Ramos-Pyne.