OCC Culinarians Win Honors at Chefs de Cuisine Competition

Representatives of Oakland Community College’s culinary program won a number of honors at competitions hosted by the American Culinary Federation Chefs de Cuisine Association September 16 at the Novi Expo Center.  The event was sponsored by Sysco Food Distributors of Canton, Michigan.

The OCC group, composed of the faculty, students and alumni of the OCC Culinary Studies Institute, won two gold medals, one silver medal, two Best of Shows, two second places and one third place.

Competition categories included “Mystery Basket – Two Person Team”, “Contemporary Dessert”, and “Contemporary Pastries for Individual Chefs”.

The Mystery Basket competition requires a team of two chefs to prepare a four course meal for 10 persons, including dessert, from a basket of food unveiled at the beginning of the four-hour event.  OCC faculty members Chef Kevin Enright of Rochester and Chef Douglas Ganhs of Grosse Pointe placed first in the competition, winning a silver medal and Best of Show.  Their presentation included roast pheasant breast au natural, grilled yellow tail snapper and coriander shrimp salad, a main course of grilled venison medallions with sweet potato gratin, and for dessert, pear chiboust brulee.

OCC Culinary Studies Institute graduate Carrie Bielaniec of Novi, currently employed at Steve & Rocky’s Restaurant in Novi, placed second in the Mystery Basket competition.  Graduate Kevin Peasgood of Clawson, currently employed at the Detroit Athletic Club, placed third.

OCC faculty member Chef Roger Holden of Howell won a gold medal and Best of Show honors for his white chocolate Grand Marnier and Raspberry Chambord Bavarian cream served in a chocolate shell resting on a hazelnut cookie in the Contemporary Dessert category.  Andrew Sayes of Ferndale, captain of the OCC student team, won a gold medal in the Contemporary Entrée category for his striped sea bass in saffron broth presentation.

Oakland Community College’s Culinary Studies Institute combines hands-on experiences and quality instruction by award-winning faculty who are masters of their profession.

The Institute maintains the lowest student/faculty ratio of any school in Michigan, providing personal attention and a high level of training.  For more information, call (248) 522-3700.