Pierpont Takes Third at ACF Northeast Regional

Pierpont Culinary Academy finished third behind two of the biggest culinary schools in the country at the American Culinary Federation Northeast Regional in Columbus, OH. The team was led by veteran competitors Maria Provencher, Team Captain, Joseph White, and Ted Hastings. Brandon Show and Ryan Contraski, first year students and competitors rounded out the team. The Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY) won the event, and Johnson & Wales University (Providence, RI) came in second. The team displayed their show platter on the first day of the event. The platter featured WV Wild Game items such as: trout, quail, and duck breast. On day two, the team completed their second and third phases of the competition. During the Skills Phase Joseph White began the 80 minute relay team by completing the pastry competency, Ryan Contraski drew second position and completed the fish fabrication section, Brandon Show completed the vegetable skills, and Ted Hastings anchored the team with the chicken fabrication. The judges made special mention of the teams professional demeanor throughout the entire competition, but made a special note about the Skills Phase. The final portion of the competition featured 90 minutes for the team to prepare and serve a four course meal to the judges. Ted Hastings prepared the appetizer course Crisp-Skinned Striped Bass with Cantelini Beans, Wilted Spinach, and Beurre Blanc. Brandon Show served the salad course of Mixed Greens, Saffron Ribbon Cracker, Fried Blue Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes, Pickled Vegetables, and Mustard Vinaigrette. Joseph White prepared the classic dish Poulet Saute a la Catalane, and it was accompanied with Haricot Verte and Pommes de Terre. Maria Provencher completed the meal with a Hazelnut Chocolate Terrine, Hazelnut Florentine, Croquentine Cake, Brandied Cherries, Orange Cardamon Sauce, and Pistachios. Ryan Contraski was the Alternate and Floor Mgr. The judges awarded Pierpont 32+ points (out of an internationally recognized 40pt scale), which qualified them for ACF Silver Medals. Watch the WBOY TV story here: http://wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=96591 Read about it on WV Metro News: http://www.wvmetronews.com/news.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=44137