SWOCC release – Coos Bay, OR – Oregon Coast Culinary Institute’s (OCCI) Student Team traveled to the American Culinary Federation’s (ACF) National Convention in Orlando, Florida to compete as the reigning Western Regional Champs. The team was named ACF National Student Team of the Year, and former OCCI student, Reilly Meehan, was named USA Chef of the Year! Team Members are: Coaches: Chef Randy Torres, CEC, Executive Director of OCCI; Chef Laura Williams, CEC, Chef Instructor at OCCI; Captain: Brock Mahi; Manager: Vicki White; Bradliegh Best; Marissa Brazell; Grace McKie; Andy Wright; Evan White; Jerry Martinez; Hunter Robbins-Bilow.The field of competition was narrowed to a six-team final event. All teams had one and a half hours to prepare a four-course signature menu. Every element had to be created from scratch. No items on the menu could be prepared ahead of time. Four portions of each menu item needed to be produced for the judge’s scrutiny. Chef Torres was thrilled with the win stating, “I am so proud of our team, once again they showed the rest of the culinary community that Oregon Coast Culinary Institute is a top ranked culinary school.” To learn more about culinary programs at Southwestern please visit www.occi.net or call our admissions office at 541-888-7195.
