Art Institute Culinary Team Takes State Competition and Advances to Regional Event in Hawaii

Showing teamwork and poise, a group of five culinary students from The Art Institute of Seattle took the state title in the ACF Junior Hot Food Competition, held on December 4, 2005 at Renton Technical College. The team then advanced on to the regional competition in February of 2006 in Hawaii.

Going up against culinary students from Skagit Valley College and Bellingham Technical College, the Art Institute team had their work cut out for them. All of the teams were obviously thoroughly prepared and well coached. Both the Art Institute and Bellingham Technical College scored silver medals, and the Skagit Valley College team took home bronze. Two teams from the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute also participated in the competition as a tune-up for the Oregon state championship in January, with both teams getting bronze medals and valuable feedback from the judges.

The Washington State Chefs' Association would like to offer big thanks to Chefs Paul Kasper, Richard Burr and Shawn Hanlin, who all graciously volunteered their time to come up to Renton for the weekend and judge the competition. They offered excellent critiques to all of the teams, as well as some encouraging words of advice to help the Art Institute team as they get back into the kitchens to practice and prepare for the regional championship. There is plenty of work to be done because winning the regional competition will almost certainly require a strong gold medal performance, and buying those plane tickets to Hawaii will require a whole lot of extra catering work to raise the needed funds.

Congratulations to coaches Harry Mills, Michael McBride and their talented squad, including: Rhabbie Coquia, Caroline Lunning, Surtida Shelton, Julie Merriman and team captain Amelia Julio. We know you'll represent Washington state well. Keep cooking.