Local business people gathered for the latest Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce Take 5 event held at Sault College this week, taking the opportunity to network with each other and sample tasty food prepared by students in the college’s Culinary Skills - Chef Training program.
“We're anticipating anywhere from 200 to 300 people today. Our students have been working diligently for the last two weeks to try and get appetizers prepped up and ready to go for today's event,” said Sarah Birkenhauer, Sault College Culinary Management Program coordinator in a chat with SooToday.
Students, under the guidance of instructors, prepared tasty appetizers for guests at two meat-carving stations and several stir fry stations, greeting guests with smiles and plates of hors d'oeuvres to enjoy.
Approximately 50 students took part in preparing and serving food at the event.
“Everybody had their full whites on. They were ready to go. They're excited. There's a different energy when you do big events like this.
"I think it's a good experience for them to do larger scale events like this and be able to meet and network with those that are coming in from the community from different businesses. It gives them the opportunity to showcase their skill set,” Birkenhauer said.
A wider variety of dishes are now prepared at the college as a result of a significant international student presence.
“We've got students that are joining us from all over the world. We have students that are from Brazil, India, Peru, The Philippines, Vietnam and China. Obviously we've had many students that came from India so we've done a lot with different types of curries and butter chicken and different types of samosas as well,” Birkenhauer said.
A samosa is a pastry filled with vegetables, spiced potatoes, onions and peas.
Dishes prepared, served and enjoyed at Thursday’s event included pork loin strips, beef strips, sweet and sour meatballs, wontons filled with crab, cream cheese and peppers, chicken kabobs, truffle arancini, buffalo wings, sesame shrimp and Southwest egg rolls filled with chicken, jalapenos and cheese.
Culinary Skills - Chef Training program students were clearly enthused at the event.
"It's a great program," student Emily Matheson said.
"I'm enjoying it. It's my passion," said student Miguel Nunez.
As an instructor, Birkenhauer is pleased that Saultites will be enjoying food at local restaurants employing many of her students after their graduation from the two-year Culinary Skills - Chef Training program.
“It feels pretty darn good,” Birkenhauer said.
