HRIM, Culinary and Pastry Arts Program to Be Honored During MCCC Annual Scholarship Gala
3/17/20
West Windsor, N.J. – Following a successful school year that saw sellout restaurants and local news coverage, Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC) HRIM, Culinary and Pastry Arts program will be presented the Excellence in Academics Award.
The award comes as part of the college’s 31st Annual Scholarship Celebration, which regularly raises more than $150,000 each year in direct aid to students.
Led by Chefs Frank Benowitz and Doug Fee, the program prepares students for managing roles at a variety of lodging and food service institutions.
“Chef Fee and I truly appreciate this distinct recognition of our hospitality programs,” Benowitz said. “We are extremely proud of our hospitality, culinary arts, pastry arts and culinology students.”
He added, “We always say that our students serve as our best ambassadors. As a result of the growth of our programs, exceptional faculty and staff, and the generous support of our Sponsor Partners, our students are able to obtain gainful employment within their first couple semesters of attending classes.”
Program highlights from this year include the return of the Viking Café, which saw students develop and serve a plant-based menu. Diners were invited to try the Plant-Based “Osso Bucco,” a fresh rutabaga filled with mushroom duxelles, braised in house made vegetable stock.
Benowitz and Fee also organized the Sixth Annual Culinary Benefit for Student Scholarships, a tasting event which sees a sellout crowd sees trying student crafted dishes like fried chicken sliders and butternut squash apple soup.
In 2019, the event raised over $6,000 for student scholarships.
Additionally, Culinary students coordinated with MCCC’s Horticulture to create a farm-to-table relationship, through which the Horticulture program grew some of the ingredients used in Culinary dishes.
“We graciously accept this honor on behalf of our students and programs,” Benowitz said. “Our entire team continues to work diligently to establish partnerships while providing the academic resources to ensure our students success on campus and beyond their graduation.”
More information about our giving campaign will be made available at www.mccc.edu/asc.
Frank Benowitz, second from right, poses with student scholarship winners at the 6th Annual Culinary Tasting Benefit in October 2019.