A-B Tech culinary team brings home 18th state title

From A-B Tech:

Culinary Team Brings Home 18th State Title

A-B Tech Community College’s Student Culinary Team won its 18th state title after competition December 3 at Central Piedmont Community College. Team members Emma Wieber, Jessica Olin, Habiba Smallen, Nina Patterson and Emily Welch also received gold medals for high scores. Max Theofrastous serves as team alternate.

“This team was very prepared.  They have put in countless hours of practice and preparation and it showed!  It was fun to watch them work,” said Chef Bronwen McCormick, who is a team coach with Chef Chris Bugher.

The team will now compete in the American Culinary Federation’s Southeast Regional competition January 13-14 at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte. The winner of that competition will advance to the national level. A-B Tech has had teams compete at the national level nine times in the contest’s history, winning the national title in 2007.

Each team has to create an assigned classical dish each year. This year it was the fish starter course of Filets de Sole Lady Egmont. They are also required to create a salad, entrée and dessert and demonstrate kitchen skills.

“Judges commented on their great communication, organization, cleanliness throughout.  They received high praise for their food and shared accolades such ‘great flavors,’ ‘delicious,’ and ‘flavor profile was great’,” according to McCormick.