Academy Students Earn Gold at New York Food Show

MAYS LANDING — The Academy of Culinary Arts centerpiece team earned a gold medal at New York City’s 141st annual “Salon of Culinary Art.”
Held Nov. 8-10 at the 94th International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, the Salon featured breathtaking creations of master chefs, pastry chefs, bakers, butchers, culinarians and apprentices from around the world competing in an array of categories. The show is organized annually by the Société Culinaire Philanthropique, and is known as the world’s largest freelance culinary arts exhibit and considered the most prestigious competition on the East Coast.
Chef Educator Daniel Matt of Mays Landing directed the winning centerpiece team, which created an abstract sculpture adorned with flowers and baskets made entirely from bread. Team members included: Catharine Ball of Ocean City, Lindsay Guzejko of Clayton, Kathryn Laspino of Ocean City, Constance O’Connell of Manahawkin, Chelsea Parry of Marlton, Henry Wernega of Franklinville, and Stephanie Coller of Stratford.
The students worked on the centerpiece for more than three weeks, perfecting the final entry. They competed against teams from other culinary schools including Johnson & Wales, the Culinary Institute of America and industry professionals.
The ACA has a history of success at the Salon of Culinary Art every year they have competed, including four silver medals in 1998, four gold medals in 2000, a gold medal in 2002, two gold medals in 2006, four gold and four silver medals in 2007, and three gold medals in 2008.