WGTC students participate in Taste of Georgia | Events

VALDOSTA, GA - News release from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

Chef Rick VanHook and four culinary students wowed large crowds at the 2012 Taste of Georgia and Hospitality Expo held in Atlanta February 9 and 10.

The event is part of the Georgia Restaurant Association and the annual Public Affairs Day held for Georgia legislatures.

The event began on Thursday with the Taste of Georgia.  Wiregrass culinary students and Chef VanHook prepared applewood smoked duck along with bruschetta with blueberry stilton and balsamic drizzle. The students selected their table décor to center around the smoke duck dish they were serving. 

“People were coming by to compliment the students on their menu and the table decorations,” stated April McDuffie dean of Professional Services. “We even had request to cater future events from around the state.” 

 Friday morning the students and Chef VanHook prepared tropical shrimp cocktail with a crispy Won Ton cup with fresh fruit salsa rimmed with poached gulf shrimp and drizzled with coconut cream sauce.

On Friday, the tropical shrimp was also a hit. The four culinary students that participate in the events under the direction of Chef VanHook were Carrie Brown, April Clark, Julie Roberts, and Roberta Stedham. 

“These four students worked very hard and were very professional.  Chef VanHook and the students truly made Wiregrass shine,” stated McDuffie.  

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College offers an associate degree, diploma and several technical certificate of credit programs in culinary.

For more information on the culinary programs, please visit www.wiregrass.edu. Summer semester classes begin on May 21.