MCC Culinary Team Takes Top Honors in Statewide Culinary Competition
Pictured from left to right:
Scott Fitzgerald, MCC associate professor
Linda Coons, Marc Cutler, Liz Bunker, Joseph Mott,
Patrick Sweeney, and MCC adjunct faculty
member Marc Hussey.
Manchester, Conn., – (January 21, 2009). . . .The Manchester Community College (MCC) Culinary Arts team took top honors in the Connecticut Student Chef Competition. The team defeated the Connecticut Culinary Institute and the Center for Culinary Arts in Cromwell. The MCC Culinary Arts team placed first two out of the three years of the statewide competition. Members of the student culinary arts team include team captain Marc Cutler of Avon, Joseph Mott of Manchester, Liz Bunker of Glastonbury, Patrick Sweeney of Manchester, and Scott Fitzgerald of Marlborough.
MCC associate professor Linda Coons of West Hartford and adjunct faculty member Marc Hussey of West Hartford guided the team to its victory. The team competed in two categories: four-course meal prepared in 90 minutes, and knife skills completed in 80 minutes.
“The students worked hard to learn a variety of culinary techniques, and I was very impressed with their level of expertise and professionalism during the competition,” stated Professor Coons.
The MCC Culinary Arts team was sponsored by Rockville Bank. The team will travel to Boston in February 6 through 9 to participate in the American Culinary Federation (ACF) regional competition.
The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), is a professional, organization for chefs and cooks, and was founded in 1929 in New York City by three chefs’ organizations: the Societe Culinaire Philanthropique, the Vatel Club and the Chefs de Cuisine Association of America. The organization is based on promoting the professional image of American chefs worldwide through education of culinarians at all levels.
The Hospitality Department at Manchester Community College offers students a choice of an associate degree in Foodservice Management, Hotel-Tourism Management, or a certificate in Food Store Management, Professional Baker, Professional Cook, Hotel-Tourism Management, and Culinary Arts. For more information, visit www.mcc.commnet.edu or call Jayne Pearson at 860-512-2785.
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Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The College offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with several universities. MCC is situated on a park-like campus and is easily accessible from I-84.
