High School Culinary
Champions to Enroll This Fall; Current and Future
Students Place in Restaurant Service Category
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
Hyde Park, NY – Recent high school graduates who are continuing their education
at The Culinary Institute of America swept the top three spots at the 2015 SkillsUSA national
championship in Culinary Arts. For their success, all three earned CIA scholarships
to the world’s premier culinary college, including a full-tuition scholarship
for national secondary school winner Hyeonseo “Jerry”
Jo of Columbia, MO.
Jo begins his CIA studies
in September. (Coincidentally,
last year’s champion is also from Columbia. Chormaic Sullivan recently
completed his freshman year at the CIA.) Second-place winner
Joshua Blochowski of Maumee, OH started at the CIA on
July 7 with the support of a $4,000 a year scholarship. Dominic DeMuro
of Elizabethtown, NY, earned $3,500 a year by taking
third place nationally. DeMuro begins his studies at
the CIA in October.
“We are thrilled to have the top three SkillsUSA culinary competitors
all enroll at The Culinary Institute of America this year,”
said Senior Director of Admissions Rachel Birchwood. “Their excellent
culinary skills combined with the education they will receive at the world’s premier
culinary college is a winning combination.”
SkillsUSA competitions in 100
fields were held in Louisville, KY on June 24 and 25. In Culinary Arts,
competitors prepared both hot and cold food, creating a four-course menu. Competitors
were rated on the quality and flavor of their prepared items, as well as their
organization, knife skills, cooking techniques, creative presentation, and food
safety practices.
One current and one future CIA student each placed in the
Restaurant Service category, which focuses on both technical service skills and
guest relations, involving table setup, greeting, reservations procedures,
describing food and drink items, taking orders, and serving and clearing
multiple courses. CIA junior Jacqueline Doucette took
third in the post-secondary division and Stratham, NH’s Christine Avery, who
starts at the CIA in September, was third in the high school competition. Each
earned scholarships of $3,500 a year.
SkillsUSA is the national
organization for students in trade, industrial, technical, and health
occupations education. It sponsors annual SkillsUSA Championships 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 & Hi-Res Image:
The top three winners in the 2015 SkillsUSA high school culinary competition will all be attending college at The Culinary
Institute of America. They are, from left, silver medalist Joshua Blochowski (Maumee,OH),
gold medal winner Jerry Jo (Columbia, MO), and bronze medalist Dominic DeMuro (Elizabethtown, NY). (Photo credit: Courtesy SkillsUSA)
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier
culinary college. Dedicated to driving leadership development for the
foodservice and hospitality industry, the independent, not-for-profit CIA
offers associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts;
bachelor’s degree majors in management, culinary science, and applied food studies;
and executive education through its Food Business School. Its conferences and
consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry in
the areas of health & wellness, sustainability, world cuisines &
cultures, and professional excellence & innovation. The college also offers
certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its
worldwide network of 48,000 alumni includes leaders in every area of
foodservice and hospitality. The CIA has campuses in New York, California,
Texas, and Singapore.
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