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UA-PTC baking, culinary team compete in Chicago

UA-PTC baking and culinary competition teams were in Chicago this past week to compete for honors at the American Culinary Federation's regional competitions in Chicago. This competition took place at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois, ahead of the ChefConnect: Chicago Central/Western Regional Conference, Feb. 5-7.

The Culinary Competition team won a bronze medal. Team members include Spencer Freyaldenhoven, Drew McLain, King Joseph, Jeremiah Mesker and Alex Smith. Chefs James McAfee and Mitch Berlin are the team's coaches. During competition, the students had 80 minutes to demonstrate skills (including fileting a fish, cutting up a chicken, and pastry knife skills) and 90 minutes to prepare a four-course meal.

Wendy Schay, a PTC graduate and current baking instructor, competed for Pastry Chef of the Year. Jeremiah Mesker competed for Student of the Year. Both will find out tonight if they won.

For the first time, the college had a team participating in the Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge bowl, which is a Jeopardy-style quiz bowl that covers culinary arts, Escoffier, baking, nutrition and culinary math.

The team did not win, but they definitely learned a lot and know what to expect next year.

"With this being our first year to compete, it was a new experience all around," said Chef Jan Lewandowski, baking instructor and team coach. "We weren't sure what to expect, so now we have a better idea of how to prepare for next year."

The team included Jessica Mann of Little Rock (baking/culinary), team captain; Karen Johnson of Benton (culinary); Amanda Dickson of Little Rock (baking/culinary); Rachel Trammel of Fordyce (baking); Jasmine Armour of Pine Bluff (baking); and alternate Kiara Ford of Pine Bluff (culinary). All of the students are pursuing Associate of Applied Science degrees in either baking or culinary arts.

The students competed against eight other teams from the Central region, which includes Texas, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan and Missouri.