ASHEVILLE - A fired-up team of culinary students persevered through a grueling series of live cooking competitions to return home as victors.
In April, the team from Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality program won the American Culinary Federation Southeast Regional competition.
The contending regional teams moved forward to compete in the A.C.F. Nationals from July 14-17 in Phoenix.
A-B Tech won the gold medal becoming the national champions.
Cathy Strohm-Horton, A-B Tech’s Director of Culinary Arts and Hospitality said in a news release that it was a “well-earned and well-won honor.”
“This team epitomizes the work ethic, camaraderie, and heart that took them to a gold medal in Phoenix,” Strohm-Horton said. “The coaches and team gave everything they had ― and then some ― to this competition.”
Culinary competitors
A-B Tech has won the regionals 15 times but it's the second time the college has cinched the national title, the first being in 2007.
This year’s student team members were captain Abbey Franklin, Yajaira Sandoval, Ethyn Jester, Rebecca McElreath and Avery Lathan.
Chris Bugher, a certified chef executive, and Bronwen McCormick served as team coaches and chef instructors.
“It has been an amazing journey with a very talented group of students,” Bugher said in a news release. “From the beginning of the team selection process, we knew we had a great shot at the title. This team has worked so hard, putting in countless hours to get to where they are. It was great to see these students start as individuals and develop into a team, forming friendships and pushing each other to continue to improve their food and skills.”
Nickolas Abbott, a recent A-B Tech graduate and member of the 2023 culinary team, earned a silver medal in ACF’s Student Chef of the Year competition.
Abbott, coached by A-B Tech Chef Instructor Stephen Hertz, C.E.C., represented the Western North Carolina Culinary Arts Association of the A.C.F.
Abbott holds three certificates and a degree in culinary arts and will begin his courses to earn a Baking and Pastry certificate in the fall.
The winning menu
In a news release, Franklin, the team captain, said that her two-year participation on A-B Tech’s competition team has tremendously changed her life.
“It has taught me to always strive for better and to believe in my capabilities as an aspiring chef,” Franklin said. "Our coaches teach us to never settle and to lead by example. This mindset has translated to every other aspect of our lives.”
The teams were tasked with cooking a four-course meal for the ACF judges.
A-B Tech’s national championship menu:
Appetizer. Coconut Crusted Red Snapper, Pico de Piña, Shrimp Empanada, Purslane Ensalada, Achiote Coconut Sauce.
Salad. Petite Greens, Tomato Jicama Vinaigrette, Spiced Pepitas, Pickled Yellow Tomatoes, Smoked Cherry Tomatoes, Spiced Crema, Infladita, Guacamole Terrine.
Entrée. Chipotle Prickly Pear Glazed Pork Loin, Chimichurri, Mexican Rice and Bean Cilindro, Crema Verde, Chorizo con Repollo Calabacitas, Sopa de Maiz.
Dessert. Mexican Chocolate Tart, Vanilla Meringue, Agave Lime Mango, Hibiscus Sauce, Almond Financier, Mango Sorbet.
“As captain of this year’s team, I am proud and honored to have been a part of something so special,” Franklin said. “I have loved and enjoyed the friendships and trust we have built. We all came from different backgrounds and places, but the moments and experiences we had together this past year are what made this gold medal possible.”
The Biltmore, team sponsors and A-B Tech culinary arts alumni supported the team financially and by investing time in the team’s preparation ahead of the event.
“They deserved the win, and I couldn’t be more proud,” Bugher said. “A-B Tech has been so supportive of us from day one and we are so happy to have shown the country the quality of our program.”
For more about A-B Tech’s Culinary Arts program, visit abtech.edu/culinary .
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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times .
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville culinary students win gold medal in national cooking competition, see the menu
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