Three Students Move on to Compete at the Nationals
Hyde Park, NY 鈥 Students from The Culinary Institute of America took home gold medals in both the Commercial Baking and Culinary Arts
categories at the New York State SkillsUSA competition at Alfred State College in Wellsville, NY on March 23.
Nora Engelken of Fairway, KS was the winner among
postsecondary students in culinary arts and Karam Lee of Salt Lake City, UT took top honors in the commercial baking
category. In addition, Brandon Ting Tai
Hoe of Flushing, NY was the silver medalist in the baking competition and Beatriz Balderas of New Castle, DE
earned a bronze medal on the culinary side. All four are currently in their
sophomore year at the CIA.
鈥淔or our students who participate, competing is SkillsUSA is a valuable addition to their education,鈥 says
CIA professor and SkillsUSA advisor Ezra Eichelberger.
鈥淲hen they prepare for competition in the various categories, you can see them
develop鈥攏ot only in the specific skills for that particular event, but also in
their organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and overall
professionalism.鈥
The students trained under CIA faculty members Lance Nitahara and Didier Berlioz. Chef Nitahara is a CIA graduate who won several culinary competitions as a student.
With their victories at the state level, Engelken and Lee have earned the opportunity to represent the CIA at the SkillsUSA national competition this June in Louisville, KY,
along with CIA sophomore Jerry Zheng, who will be participating in the Restaurant Service category. Since 2006, the
college has had 10 gold medal winners at the national competition.
The CIA will also have a representative at this year鈥檚 WorldSkills competition. Julia Spondike of Lorain, OH won a
cook-off at last year鈥檚 nationals to earn the honor of representing the United
States in the international competition in Kazan, Russia in August.
SkillsUSA is the national
organization for students in trade, industrial, technical, and health
occupations education. It sponsors annual SkillsUSA Championships in 100 fields to recognize the achievements of career and
technical education students and to encourage them to strive for excellence and
pride in their chosen occupations.
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
CIA sophomores Nora Engelken (right) and Beatriz Balderas with their medals at the 2019 New York State SkillsUSA competition on March 23 in Wellsville, NY. Engelken won the gold medal and Balderas the bronze
in culinary arts. CIA students also took both gold and silver in the commercial
baking category. (Photo credit:
CIA/Darrell McLaughlin)
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Writer
845-451-1372
Jeff.Levine@culinary.edu
About The Culinary Institute of America:
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world鈥檚 premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers master鈥檚, bachelor鈥檚, and associate degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking & pastry arts, food business management, hospitality management, culinary science, and applied food studies. The college also offers executive education, certificate programs, and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of more than 50,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food world. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.
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