West Shore Culinary Studetns Earn Top Spots At State Competition

West Shore Culinary Arts students (front row) Shelby Hurd, Cameron Thompson, Gabriel Antos, Clara Wagh, (back row) Jessica Bohannon, Kenneth Priddy, and Stephen Watkins.

For seven West Shore Culinary Arts students the long hours of practice and preparing paid off at the State FCCLA Competition. West Shore grabbed three Gold Medals and two Silver Medals. Gabriel Antos and Stephen Watkins came in first place in Pastry Cake and Garde Manger categories respectively.

The state competition held in Columbus from April 27-29 brought together talented students from across the State of Ohio.

Senior Culinary student Gabriel Antos placed first in the State in the Pastry Cake Category while also earning a Gold Medal. She designed and baked a Mango Raspberry Charlotte Royale.

Senior Culinary student Stephen Watkins took first place and a Gold Medal in Garde Manger. He also earned a perfect score for his knife cuts. His winning Charcuterie Platter included Pork & Veal Terrine, Spicy Pork Sausage, and an Apricot Compote.

Junior Culinary student, Clara Wagh earned a Gold Medal for her Pastry Tray. Her tray included Apple Puff-Pastry Roses and Mini Hazelnut Cakes.

Junior student, Jessica Bohannon earned a Silver Medal in the Pastry Cake Category. She prepared a Japanese Style Christmas Cake with strawberries, whipped cream and coconut icing.

The Senior Culinary Team of Shelby Hurd, Kenneth Priddy and Cameron Thompson earned a Silver Medal. They prepared a three-course pre-set FCCLA menu and also had to demonstrate three knife cuts within 90 minutes.

"Preparing and then competing in these events have taught me to plan and set daily goals. I had to use the culinary math skills I have learned at West Shore to get everything planned correctly. I know I will be better able to handle the demands of a commercial kitchen," remarked State Champion Gabriel Antos.

West Shore's other State Champion, Stephen Watkins commented, "I learn by doing so practicing for these competitions helped me get better at what I like to do in Culinary Arts. I have learned that cleanliness, speed, and thinking on my feet are important areas in the culinary world."

"West Shore Culinary Arts has a track record of producing top awards at the state level. This is in large part due to our talented and dedicated Culinary Arts teachers and staff. Chefs Devan Corti and Rob McGorray and Educational Aide Suzann Schwartz spend countless hours in the West Shore kitchen ensuring our West Shore competitors are fully prepared," stated William DiMascio, West Shore Career-Tech Educational Coordinator.

Lynn Foran

PR and Communications for the West Shore Career Technical District

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Volume 12, Issue 10, Posted 3:33 PM, 05.10.2016