Rockland BOCES Culinary Students Honored at Annual Culinary Banquet

Culinary awards and scholarship winners are announced during the banquet. Additionally, a select number of students learn that they have become certified by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). This year Marisa Ayuso (Clarkstown South), Christine Gribben (North Rockland), Justin Kohlmeier (Clarkstown South), Joe Pratt (Pearl River), Sara Rose (North Rockland), Cadmo Matos (Spring Valley), and Laurenceu Tanis (North Rockland) were awarded certification. To become ACF certified, students must successfully complete both a written test and prepare complex recipes within a limited amount of time.

Additional awards given included a $500 bond awarded to Erika Gould (Tappan Zee) from the Rockland County School Boards Association for her outstanding cuisine. The Union Restaurant in Haverstraw awarded a highly coveted knife set to Shuryon Wellons (Nyack) and Adult Education student Dennis Gilligan received a $150 gift card from Morton's Steak House. The Kaplan PTA awarded $100 each to Justin Kohlmeier (Clarkstown North) and Seedny Louis-Jean (Nyack). Alumni awards were presented to Rodney Roberts (Nyack), Joe Pratt (Pearl River) and Sara Walker (North Rockland).