The New Haven Job Corps now has an “award winning” Culinary Department, thanks to the students who prepared delights for a “friendly” chocolate competition and submitted entries to the 3rd Annual Valentine Chocolate Festival honoring “Children and Chocolate.”  Proceeds of the event went to benefit the Montessori School on Edgewood. Chef Alison Heery was on hand to proudly accept three awards, sweeping the amateur division.  First Place Awards were taken by Minty Bars  baked by Chanelle Rivera and Timothy Wells and the Black Forest Cookies baked by Iesha Lewis and Daquar Jarvis.  The People’s Choice Award went to  the New York Chocolate Cheesecake created by Charele Moore and Travis DuBrell winning over entries from professional bakeries. 

Winners were announced by State Representative Patricia Dillon (New Haven’s 92nd Assembly District), who also gave accolades to Chef Heery, her students, and the New Haven Job Corps Culinary Department.  “The students have worked very hard on their contributions to this event,” said Chef Heery.  “It’s a great experience for them to compete and to be able to give back to the community.”  Chef Heery plans to include the recipes in the class’s specially-designed web blog.  Students can use the web address as a virtual portfolio to highlight their skills to employers when applying for jobs.  To view their latest entries, click here!