Cooking for College Cash
Local McDonald’s Franchise Owners Sponsor Culinary Scholarships
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 19, 2017) - Three Culinary Arts students at Wake Tech have earned scholarships in a unique way: they created delicious entrées – using ingredients from McDonald’s! Seven students were given a list of ingredients, not knowing they came from McDonald’s new “Signature Crafted” menu, and asked to create a dish. They were judged on creativity, taste and appearance. The competition took place today in the Culinary Arts kitchen on Wake Tech’s Southern Wake (Main) Campus.
First place went to Monica Basantes, who created a bacon-wrapped meatloaf with savory bread pudding and roasted tomatoes. She was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Tyrone Davis earned second place honors and a $750 scholarship with his chicken and sausage quesadilla. Third place went to Stephanie Jones for her breakfast/lunch/dinner wrap. Local McDonald’s franchise owners Fred and Doris Huebner presented checks to the students. Doris is Vice Chair of the Wake Tech Board of Trustees.
“It was really impressive to see what the students created with the Signature Crafted ingredients,” says Mrs. Huebner. “We are thrilled to be able to support them in continuing their culinary education.”
The seven competitors also included Jane Dunbar, Jennifer Hanson, Kristopher Beal, and Joe Matthews. Judges were Spectrum News anchor Caroline Blair, registered dietitian Tessa Nguyen, chef James Castellow, and culinary bloggers Meg Smigielska, Amy Sentementes, and Alexis Raynor.
About 500 students are currently enrolled in Wake Tech’s Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, and Hospitality Management programs. All are offered on Wake Tech’s Southern Wake (Main) Campus, although Baking and Pastry Arts is moving to new kitchens at the Northern Wake Campus this fall.
