VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Hampton Roads students competed in a cooking competition for scholarships on Tuesday.
The Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) educates and prepares youth for careers in the culinary and hospitality industries.
15 finalists who represented public high schools from Hampton Roads competed against the clock as C-CAP recreated the intensity of a restaurant kitchen.
The high school seniors had two hours to prepare, from memory, a two-course French meal, hunter’s chicken with tourné potatoes and dessert crepes with pastry cream and chocolate sauce.
Students were judged on their dish’s taste and presentation, on their organization, sanitation, work flow, timing, techniques, and skills.
Competitors were chosen on the basis of their performance in the first competition, academic records, a personal essay, and their desire to pursue secondary education with a career in the food service industry.
The event was at Stratford University’s Virginia Beach campus.
Organizers said overall $560,000 in scholarships and opportunities was awarded to participants.
Scholarships awarded ranged in value from $1,000 to more than $100,000 to attend local culinary schools and some of the most prestigious culinary schools in the country.
Some students also received C-CAP Education Scholarships, cash awards to help defray the costs of books, supplies, housing, and other expenses while at community college or another culinary school.
Click here to see the full list of scholarship recipients.
