With 18 gold medals and boasting first and second place winners, Madison Area Technical College (MATC) excelled at the 2003 College Student Culinary Arts Competition held this March in Milwaukee.

"This outstanding showing really speaks well of the program at MATC," said Susan Quam, head of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation. "This year we had more college-level competitors than ever before. The level of professionalism these students display is very impressive. They are the future stars of our industry."

First place went to Rodey Batiza, while second place went to Christine Safie. MATC students also earned 18 gold medals, 23 silver medals and 17 bronze medals.

Approximately 150 students from seven Wisconsin technical colleges participated in the event, which is part of Host Midwest Expo, Wisconsin's largest foodservice industry trade show. Overall, the judges awarded 39 bronze medals, 50 silver medals and 31 gold medals. Cash prizes were also given to the first, second and third place competitors.

Using beef as their entrée, students designed and presented beautifully plated meals that were judged by experienced chefs from around Wisconsin. Judges used a 100-point scale to evaluate each plate and awarded gold, silver and bronze medals to the top-ranking entries.

The Wisconsin Beef Council sponsored this year's College Student Culinary Arts Competition.

Photos from this event are available by calling Sara Stinski at
800-589-3211 or downloading from www.wirestaurant.org/downloads/.

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