During the Midwest Chapitre weekend, Cincinnati State’s Midwest Culinary Institute (MCI) was the setting for the Regional Young Chef competition and the Regional Pastry Chef competition. Conseiller Culinaire Provincial Christopher Koetke oversaw the competition.
Chaine members were able to watch the five young chefs create imaginative, attractive and delicious three-course meals using the required ingredients from their “Mystery Basket”. The Mystery Basket included whole duck, whole trout, 16 Gulf oysters, celeriac, dried apricots, and Bourbon barrel aged sorghum. Chefs could also use items from the pantry.
Tasting Judges included Julie Francis, Marilyn Harris, and Greg Skibinski.
The three pastry chef competitors were tasked with creating their equally beautiful and exquisite desserts. They were required to produce a plated dessert, a petit gateaux, piped chocolate truffles, molded and filled chocolate bon bons and an 8” layered entremets.
Tasting Judges included Megan Ketover, Renee Schuler, and Mike Vanfleet.
Later on that evening during the Midwest Chapitre Induction and Gala Dinner, Chris Koetke announced that Logan Christensen from St. Louis was the winner of the young chefs competition and Kelsee Newman from Cincinnati came out on top in the pastry chef competition. Both will represent the Midwest region during the National Competition in May in Charleston, South Carolina.