Two Monroe College Culinary Arts students cooked up delicious dishes that had the judges' mouths watering. As a result, Ryan Gordon won second place and Keshauna Bromley got honorable mention in the Walkerswood Caribbean Foods and BCA (Black Culinarian Alliance) 2nd Annual Caribbean Cook-Off, held on May 11 at the BSH Home Appliance's DUMBO showroom in Brooklyn.
In the contest, the students were challenged to develop original Caribbean entrées. Mr. Gordon's Citrus Jerk Chicken and Ms. Bromley's Jerk Calamari, Mango and Watercress Salad, were awarded a variety of prizes sponsored by Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau.
"It's impressive when students take the skills that they've learned in our kitchen/classrooms and apply them to original culinary ideas," said Chef Daniel Hinder, the Director of Monroe's Culinary Program. "We're so proud that they did so well."
After the competition, Virginia Burke, cookbook author and marketing director of Walkerswood Caribbean Foods said, "We're thrilled that these students share our enthusiasm for Caribbean cuisine and hope what they learned from this experience will help them as they begin their culinary careers."
The recipes were judged on presentation, creativity and taste by a panel of celebrity judges including Jill Novatt, Culinary Producer, the Food Network, Patricia Cobe, Senior Editor, Restaurant Business Magazine and Sheryl Huggins, Editor-In-Chief of NiaOnline.com.
"This event offers an educational opportunity for the students to further develop their skills as well as improve their knowledge of a specific cuisine," said Alex Askew, president, BCA. "But it does so in a challenging and exciting platform."
Chef Wilson Njenga was Monroe's faculty mentor for the competition. For more information on the Monroe College School of Hospitality Management and the Culinary Arts, call 800-55-MONROE. |