Belleville, February 16, 2013 – Loyalist College is pleased to announce that St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School of Peterborough has won the title of Junior Iron Chef at the 12th Annual Competition on February 16th at the Belleville main campus. Members of the winning team include Mike Mierzejewski, Montana Scott, Kealan Ryan and Josie O’Brien, led by their mentor Chef Catherine Rose. In second place was St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School of Belleville.
With the help of sponsorship by Ontario Pork Producers and Trent Valley Distributors, St. Peter’s team members and the school were awarded with gift certificates to be used towards kitchen equipment and supplies. All members of the two finalist teams have also earned a bursary applicable to any Loyalist program in recognition of their hard work and dedication. During the competition, each team prepared a three-course menu, which they had been practising since the preliminary competition in September. Teams were judged on the taste and presentation of food, as well as their professionalism in the kitchen.
“It’s really wonderful when we are able to invite people from the community and from our region to take part in events at Loyalist College,” said Vice-President Academic John McMahon. “It gives us an opportunity to showcase the College and our excellent programs. Both teams from St. Peter’s and St. Theresa’s have done an outstanding job here today. I’d like to thank the students and staff of our two visiting schools as well as our excellent Culinary Management program for organizing this event.”
The event took place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and was organized by second-year Loyalist College Culinary Management students to enable aspiring chefs to showcase their knowledge and skills in the kitchen. From inside the Food & Beverage Show, guests could view the competition on a large screen, streaming live footage from the kitchens. The $5 cover charge included demonstrations and samples from Club 213, the Loyalist Market, and The Spa at Loyalist, as well as a restaurant and wineries from the Bay of Quinte Region.
“I was honoured to be involved in the judging,” said Loyalist grad Chef Levi Richards, a judge at the competition and the Executive Chef at the Loyalist Golf and Country Club. “The food was fantastic and very well done, especially considering these are high school students. The plates they produced today were equal to the quality I’ve tasted in high-end restaurants. They really knew their menus and knew and respected their ingredients. It was a close race, and both teams are winners in my mind.”
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Media Contact: Elysia Geen, PR and Media Relations Intern, Loyalist College, egeen@loyalistc.on.ca, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2621