Chocolate, Chocolate everywhere! Culinary students participated for the second year in a row in the Valentine Chocolate Festival taking first place in the amateur division, held in the Student Center at St. Thomas Moore Chapel, at Yale University. This was an elegant chocolate competition for both amateurs and professionals with a sumptuous sampling session benefiting the Montessori School in New Haven, CT. Three culinary students from the New Haven Job Corps, Thalia Rodriguez, Rozlyn Warthen, and Natasjah Scott are able to take credit for their winning confection in the amateur division for their “Oreo Cheesecake” taking first place over 30 other entries in the event. “The students had a blast preparing for this, and found the compitition was a bit tougher this year.”, stated Chef Alison Herry, instructor for the Culinary Arts Program at the New Haven Job Corps Center. “The most rewarding, in addition to the experience the students receive, but the fact they are giving back to the community.”

Surrounded by chocolate delights, participants were able to have a “tasting” of 20 samples of various confections, then place a vote for their favorite. Many chocolate aficionados happily left the event carrying their winning bids from the auction that raised even more money for the Montessori School on Edgewood.

The New Haven Job Corps Center, provides career technical training in several vocational trades in addition to Culinary, which include Carpentry, Facilities Maintenance, Certified Nurse’s Assistant (C.N.A.) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Medical Assistant. For more information on these programs, or to please call (203) 397-3775.

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