BTC Culinary Arts Students awarded
Bellingham Technical College’s (BTC) Culinary Arts program team participated in the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Regional Culinary Salon held at Joliet Junior College in Illinois on Feb. 3-4. BTC came away with silver award (.21 of a point away from gold) at the annual ACF regional Student Team of the Year competition.
“These types of competitions are key to our students’ development. They test our students’ knowledge and skills and give them real-world constructive feedback on their abilities. The students get the chance to learn from other professionals and network with industry professionals and students. They also get the opportunity to see another college’s lab kitchens and how they work. The exposure is vital to their learning,” said Chef Michael Baldwin, BTC Culinary Arts Program Instructor.
BTC’s students previously competed for this slot at the state level, winning the right to represent the state in the regional competition. The team has been honing skills and creating and working out menu details including recipes, flow, arrangement, flavor, techniques, and methodology.
Teams of students competed in two categories:
1. The first phase is an 80 minutes skills section, where students fillet a fish, butcher a chicken to detailed specifications, make classical cuts, and do pastry work in a tag-team format. Teams are judged on timing, sanitation, and accuracy of techniques.
2. The second phase is a 90 minutes hot food cookery section. Teams develop a four-course menu: a fish appetizer (classical Escoffier dish determined by the American Culinary Federation national competition committee) a salad, entrée, and a dessert course.
Students are required to prepare four portions of each course for tasting judges and critiques of each course. Awards are point-based, and include Bronze, Silver and Gold medals.
Chef Instructor Michael Baldwin is coach for the BTC team and serves as Competition Chair and Education Chair for the Washington State Chefs Association.
Selecting BTC’s student team is a complex process in which first year students try out with an ingredient list and create and cook a signature dish under the watchful eyes of BTC Chef Instructor Michael Baldwin. Only the top five scoring students make the team. The students have been cooking as a team since fall of their second year.
BTC’s Competition Menu
Filet of Dover Sole Lady Egmont
Porcini Sea Salt Fleuron
Belgium Endive, Freckle Greens
Opal and Pink Apples, Carbonated Grapes, Apple Gelee, Micro Celery, Walnut Vinaigrette,
Lavash Cracker
Seared and Smoked Squab
Jerusalem Artichoke Puree,
Spinach Soufflé -Butternut squash,
Corn Fritter, Tourne Carrots Parsley Butter,
Brussel Sprouts
Foie Gras, Brioche crouton, Perigueux Sauce
Pear Frangipane Tart
Caramelized -Huckleberry Sauce, Orange Oil Cake, Macerated Fruit, Honey Ice Cream
Cardamom Crumble, Pear Chip
More about BTC’s Culinary Arts Programs:
BTC offers Associate of Applied Science degrees and transfer degrees in Culinary Arts as well as certificates in Pastry and Culinary Arts. The program is housed in the new Campus Center building and features a leading-edge learning kitchen and lab space including a donated Wood Stone oven.
Café Culinaire, a beautifully appointed culinary arts restaurant, looks onto the kitchens. During winter and spring quarter, this restaurant is where BTC Culinary Arts students refine all aspects of their skills under the direction of BTC’s Chef Instructors to prepare and present gourmet meals to the public at an affordable price. The public is invited to make reservations for Café Culinaire at 360.752.8556, though reservations fill-up quickly.
About Bellingham Technical College
Bellingham Technical College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and offers seven direct transfer degrees such as pre-engineering, pre-nursing, electronics, mechanical engineering, and technology and business. Completion of these degrees prepares BTC students to transfer with a junior status to participating colleges and universities in Washington State. BTC offers two Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees, 38 associate degree and 51 certificate options providing professional technical education to support local and regional industry workforce needs. For more information, go to www.btc.edu.
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