Schoharie campus Hospitality Technology & Culinary Arts students are #1 in state; headed to nationals

Students from Berne, Cobleskill outshine 13 other teams from across the state in creating 3-course meal in 60 minutes

A team of students from the Hospitality Technology & Culinary Arts program at the Capital Region Career & Technical School, Schoharie campus, are number one in New York State after taking home top prize in the National Restaurant Association ProStart culinary competition held at Rich Foods world headquarters, Buffalo, January 26-27. The winning Schoharie Career & Tech students include Julie Capuano, Zachery Davis, Aaron Giebitz and Drew Swint, all of whom also attend Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School, and Aimee Hoop, who also attends Cobleskill-Richmondville High School. The team will go on to national competition in Charlotte, NC, in April.

According to Schoharie Career & Tech Hospitality Technology & Culinary Arts teacher Chef Nancy Iannacone, "Our team competed against other students from 13 other schools from across the state in the culinary event,where they had to demonstrate their creative ability and prepare a three-course meal in 60 minutes. Their performance was observed and rated by judges from leading colleges and universities and from the restaurant and food service industry.

"The best is yet to come," Chef Iannacone continued. "Our team will further advance their professional education in the coming months by working with some of the best chefs in New York State, including certified master chefs. We are now truly the 'Pride of New York.'"

"It was a great experience, and we have the team!" said Zachery Davis. "We know each other's strengths and weaknesses, and we help each other."

"With the team we have," added Julie Capuano, "we can go anywhere and accomplish anything while representing New York with pride!"

Capuano, Davis and their Career & Tech Hospitality Technology & Culinary Arts teammates will compete at the National ProStart Student Invitational, presented by the National Restaurant Association, in Charlotte, NC, from April 20-22. Accompanying them to the national competition will be a team of Culinary Arts students from neighboring Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex county (WSWHE) BOCES, led by teacher Chef Charles Jones, who won the management competition at the state ProStart event in Buffalo. Thirty-six states will be represented at the national competition, which features culinary and management competitions and prizes including medals and scholarships.

The Capital Region Career & Tech and WSWHE BOCES student teams also will share their experiences and gain some valuable knowledge beforehand, in March, when they will attend a culinary showcase at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, New York City.

ProStart is a nationally recognized and respected educational restaurant and foodservice management program developed and supported by the National Restaurant Association. The program includes rigorous coursework and on-the-job training and leads to nationally recognized, professional certification.

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association's mission is to represent, educate and promote a rapidly growing industry that is comprised of 935,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets employing 12.8 million people. The Association is a strong supporter of Career & Tech's educational programs.

[2/07]