Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne hosted its 24^th annual European Competition on Wednesday. Hospitality administration students in culinary arts or baking and pastry arts spent the day competing for a chance to win a scholarship that would fund a trip to study culinary arts in Italy and France this spring.

Eight students won the opportunity to travel to Europe: Douglas Ray (Culinary), Jhenna Adams (Culinary), Jessica Updike (Culinary), Paula Ocampo (Baking), Cora Kellogg (Baking), Mason Myers (Baking), Fabi Maners (Baking), and Ingrid Matchett (Baking).

“This class represents years of hard work from our Hospitality Administration students,” says Aaron Parkinson, hospitality administration program chair. “We’re excited to bring our students to Europe for a hands-on, immersive learning experience. Getting to learn from European chefs will expose our students to new culinary and baking techniques and enhance their education.”

Culinary students prepared a meal with an appetizer; an entrée with a protein, vegetable, and starch; and a dessert. Baking students prepared items including plated chocolate and fruit desserts, yeast bread and rolls, and a decorated cake.

Kitchen judges watched and rated students as they worked, paying attention to technique and ability. Floor judges blind tasted the completed meals. Judges based their scores on American Culinary Federation (ACF) criteria, and in order to be considered for the European trip, students must place at bronze standard or higher.

Students will create the menu for this year’s A Reason to Taste, the College’s largest annual fundraiser. Money raised at A Reason to Taste funds scholarships for the winning students’ European trips. For sponsorship information contact Laura Leichty at 260-481-2243 or lleichty@ivytech.edu.