Jean-Marie Lacroix Joins Judging Panel for C-CAP Cooking Competition

Finalists representing 11 public high schools from across the region will compete against the clock when C-CAP re-creates the intensity of a restaurant kitchen for the high school seniors to face off in a savory and sweet challenge. Within a two-hour time limit, each competitor will prepare, from memory, a two-course French meal: hunter’s chicken with tourné potatoes and dessert crepes with pastry cream and chocolate sauce.

Students will not only be critiqued on their dish’s taste and presentation, but also on their organization, sanitation, work flow, timing, techniques and skills. This year’s esteemed judges are:

Jean-Marie Lacroix, Brulee Catering
Daniel Stern, R2L
Jason Cichonski, Ela
Sylva Senat, Dos Tacos (C-CAP Alum)
Ligia Richter, Chugar Bakery
Drew DiTomo, Amis (Vetri Family)
Aliza Green, Material Culture, Baba Olga’s Supper Club
Chip Roman, Blackfish
Susan Robbins, C-CAP President
Richard Grausman, C-CAP Founder

The competitors were chosen on the basis of their performance in the preliminary competition, academic records, a personal essay, and their desire to pursue post-secondary education and to forge careers in the food service industry. Students will be competing for scholarship awards and opportunities including full- and partial-tuition scholarships to premier local culinary colleges and to some of the most prestigious culinary schools in the country.

The event will take place Wednesday, April 6th 9AM-11:00AM at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill (4207 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA). Judging will take place at 11:30AM.

The results of the C-CAP Philadelphia Region Cooking Competition for Scholarships will be revealed to participants at the annual C-CAP Philadelphia Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 9:00-11:30am at the Union League of Philadelphia, 140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA.

James Beard Award-winning Chef Lacroix has been a mentor for Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) since the organization began over 25 years ago. C-CAP honored Chef Lacroix at their signature event last November at Moulin ‘IGNITE…Firing up Tomorrow’s Chefs’ and he is honored be a chef in this year’s competition on April 6, 2016.