In early October two current and one former Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) students competed at the USA Culinary Cup Challenge Team Competition in Orlando, Florida. The team representing OCCI placed first in the competition taking home the gold. The challenge is a national competition that invites professional competitors from around the country. The competitors created a signature three-course meal that they served to 28 guests. All the meals were created utilizing sponsored products including duck, salmon, beef and chocolate. The team members, current students Jessica Lombardo and Courtney Wohlert, and former student Reilly Meehan, were grateful and proud to receive the Culinary Cup this year. Upon his return Chef Torres, the team coach, commented that, “We’re very proud of our program, our graduates and our students and their success in these competitions.” Both Lombardo and Wohlert previously competed at the ACF American National Convention where Meehan advised and they placed first in that competition as well. Meehan was also a member of the 2012 USA Culinary Youth Team, hosted by OCCI, and competed at the 2012 Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany.