OCC Culinary Team Wins Western Regional Competition

OCC Marketing & Public Relations

Mar 19, 2024

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a group of students wearing white chef uniforms

Orange Coast College culinary arts students took first place at the 2024 American Culinary Federation’s Western Regional Student Team Competition in Overland Park, Kansas on March 12.

OCC’s Hot Food Team is the first team to compete for OCC since 2018. The competing five-member team consists of Team Captain Claire Arredondo, Blanca Granados, Morgan Downie, Genisis Mascareno, and Monique Robinson, with three additional support team members, including Joseph Serrato, Khoa To, and Frida Ramos-Nunez. Their team coach and culinary arts instructor, Chef April Thompson, is no stranger to ACF’s Western Regional Student Team Competition, having competed in 2018 for OCC when they won their last regional title.

“OCC has a long tradition of success with the student hot food team competitions,” said OCC culinary arts instructor Chef Davina Dunner. “We are so proud and excited for our students, who are continuing a legacy started in 1996.”

The Hot Food Team worked closely with OCC’s Horticulture Department and Marine Science Department to harvest tilapia and aquaponic lettuces used in their competition menu. Through this collaboration, they completed the sustainability loop by conscientiously preparing some food grown on campus. The partnership also allowed them to cater to a “campus” to table concept. The four-course winning menu highlighted techniques such as fish and poultry fabrication, Mousseline and country style forcemeats, Lavash rings, Shaped Tuille, and Entremet Cake layering.

“This accomplishment was truly a collaborative effort,” says Dunner. “The team was supported by so many OCC faculty and staff, including alumni who guided them through the sharp learning curve of a culinary competition.”

The team will travel to Phoenix in July to compete in the National Student Team Championships, facing off against four other regional teams. The last time the Pirates won the national title was in 2005.

“I am incredibly proud of all the team members who have worked tirelessly for this competition throughout the school year,” says Thompson. “Through their adversities, they have demonstrated strong resilience to push ahead and win the top prize.”