(Marietta, Ga. – October 19, 2015)
Chattahoochee Technical College’s Culinary Arts Program hosted its Fourth Annual Chili Cook-Off at the Mountain View Campus on Oct. 15. The four teams, Cajun Asian, Chili Chili Bang Bang, Red Hot Chili Preppers, and the Tri Top Trio, consisting of two to three students per team, competed for the title of “Best Chili”. Each team’s entry was judged on taste, presentation, and tenderness.
The Culinary Arts Program, established in 2000, is one of the original programs on campus. Known as the “White Hat Brigade,” students, ranging in ages from 18 to 60, develop their culinary skills through a combination of theory and practical application. The program, which usually takes a year and a half to two years to complete, provides students with the opportunity to earn an associate degree or a diploma.
Chef Hillary Gallagher has been an instructor in the Culinary Arts Program for the past 10 years and has served as the head of the program since 2011. She believes events like the Chili Cook-Off encourage friendly competition.
“It’s all about the students. They learn how to collaborate in a fun, relaxed environment,” Gallagher said.
Montinque’ Baugh, a senior from Acworth, said, “Cooking just runs in my family.” So she decided to take it to the next level and get her Culinary Arts degree. Ms. Baugh is set to graduate in May of 2016 and already has many job opportunities to choose from.
First-year student Celina Vicente is from Powder Springs and participated in a culinary program at her high school. She started decorating cakes at her first job and that quickly evolved into baking cakes. Ms. Vicente hopes to own a bake shop someday.
This year’s winner was the Tri Top Trio team. Congratulations to all those who participated!
CTC Culinary Arts students (L.-R.-Kayla Holloway, Hope Nguyen, Sara Sheets, and Sam Stavely) making their final preparations for the Fourth Annual Chili Cook-Off