Participating Students and Chefs of the 2016 NJAC Annual County Vocational Technical Schools Cook-Off Challenge
The 5th Annual County Vocational-Technical Schools Cook-Off Challenge was hosted by the New Jersey Association of Counties and took place during its 66th Annual Celebration of County Government on May 20th at 12:15 p.m. in Caesar’s Palladiuim Ballroom A, Atlantic City.
Students of the Culinary Arts Programs from the following 11 County Vocational-Technical Schools participated in this year’s Challenge:
- Atlantic County Institute of Technology
- Burlington County Institute of Technology
- Cumberland County Technical Education Center
- Gloucester County Institute of Technology
- Hudson County Schools of Technology
- Hunterdon County Polytech High School
- Monmouth County Culinary Education Center
- Ocean County Vocational Technical School – Brick Center
- Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School
- Union County Vocational-Technical Schools
- Warren County Technical School
Teams competed for Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards in categories of Taste, Station Display, and Food Presentation. Each team had a budget of $500.00 to prepare and present 400 portions of a single hors d’oeuvre or appetizer. NJAC county officials and business members, professional chefs, and conference attendees had the difficult task of judging the savory dishes created by the talented culinary arts students.
The award recipients are as follows:
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Gold: Cumberland County Technical Education Center – Black Pepper & Molasses Laquered Short Ribs
Silver: Hunterdon County Polytech High School – Mildford Farms Pork Belly and Chicken Confit Tostada with locally foraged ramp kimchi and korean bbq sauce
Bronze: Ocean County Vocational Technical School – Brick Center – Jersey Shore Lobster Roll with roasted corn and tomato served on a freshly baked bun
NJAC JUDGES
Taste
Gold: Cumberland County Technical Education Center
Silver: Hunterdon County Polytech High School
Bronze: Hudson County Schools of Technology – Sous Vide Pork Loin Arepas with bbq foam
Station Display
Gold: Warren County Technical School – Coconut Infused Risotto Pancake topped with grilled, marinated shrimp surrounded by a mango coulis & toasted macadamia nuts
Silver: Union County Vocational Technical School – Artisan Flatbread Taco with applewood smoked duck breast glazed in a honey-chipotle sauce & topped with chevre, grilled corn-avocado salsa and roasted jalapeno & cabbage slaw.
Bronze: Hudson County Schools of Technology
PROFESSIONAL CHEFS
Taste
Gold: Cumberland County Technical Education Center
Silver: Atlantic County Institute of Technology – Wild Caught Grilled Shrimp with tomato cantaloupe salsa & basil sorbet
Bronze: Burlington County Institute of Technology – Marinated Flank Steak tied Hunterdon County Polytech High School
Food Presentation
Gold: Cumberland County Technical Education Center
Silver: Hunterdon County Polytech High School tied Union County Vocational Technical School
Bronze: Burlington County Institute of Technology
Other delectable dishes were:
- Gloucester County Institute of Technology – Balsamic Honey Roasted Shredded Pork with fig chutney & whipped ricotta
- Monmouth County Culinary Education Center – Asian Day Boat Scallop with sweet chili sauce
- Somerset County Vocational & Technical School – Applewood Smoked Scallops with pear and roasted poblano relish
The New Jersey Association of Counties would like to thank and congratulate all 11 participating schools and the many students who participated making the 2016 NJAC County Vocational Technical Schools Cook-Off Challenge a huge success!
Photos by Mike Hickman of Mike Hickman Photography
To view more photos from the 2016 NJAC Annual County Vocational Technical Schools Cook-Off Challenge, please visit www.mikehickmanphoto.com.