Culinary Institute of St. Louis Captures First Place

Hickey College – Vet Tech Institute at Hickey College – Culinary Institute of St. Louis at Hickey College

Contact: Kimberly Simpson

Phone: (314) 434-2212

Title: Director of Continuing Education

 Email: eveninged@hickeycollege.edu

CULINARY INSTITUTE OF ST. LOUIS CAPTURES FIRST PLACE

News Release

IN STUDENT COMPETITION

St. Louis, Mo.

– March 30, 2012 – The Culinary Institute of St. Louis won first place in the annual Performance Food Group Student Culinary Competition held in St. Peters between students from area colleges, including St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, Southwestern Illinois College, and other area culinary schools. The team, coached by Chef Justin Keimon, CEC, was judged by a panel of American Culinary Federation Certified Master Chefs. The student culinary team from the Culinary Institute of St. Louis was awarded an ACF silver medal and first place traveling trophy, as well as a $2,000 scholarship presented by Doug Marsh, a representative from Performance Food Group,

During the annual competition, each team is judged in two stages. First, each team member takes turns in a skills relay of knife cuts, chicken and fish fabrication, and pastry. After eighty minutes, each team is given a critique by the panel of judges. Teams take turns in the kitchen for the next stage and present a four-course, four-portion menu to the judges. They are judged on organization, timing, taste, teamwork, sanitation, and skill.

This year’s team entered the kitchen under the leadership of Chef Justin Keimon, CEC, and consisted of Corey Schwartz of High Ridge, Mo., Anastasia Worsham of Augusta, Mo., Cory Yeates of Springfield, Il., Mary Tran of St. Louis, Mo., and John Meckles of Alton, Il. Chef Keimon, who was beaming even before awards were presented, stated, "These students have come such a long way and learned so much during this process. They have made us all proud and demonstrated what hard work and dedication can do."

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Hickey College is an institution of higher learning that provides a structured and accelerated education experience in a professional environment which encourages lifelong learning. The college prepares students for entry into the workforce along with a solid base for future progress in a career field.