ECC student from Batavia wins $1000 in cupcake tourney
Submitted by ECC
Elgin Community College student Yvonne Mastrogiovanni of Batavia walked away with a $1,000 scholarship and bragging rights after winning first place in a cupcake competition against Harper College.
Two ECC culinary students and two Harper culinary students faced off in the competition, which was held Oct. 30 at the Stonegate Banquet and Conference Center in Hoffman Estates.
Students were tasked with using Splenda sweetener in their cupcakes and decorating them to creatively reflect the autumn theme. The winner was chosen based on the highest number of votes by attendees at the October event. Mastrogiovanni wowed judges with her creative Autumn Spiced Wine and Chestnut Cupcake. ECC student Sharon Williamson of Elgin also was a finalist with her Maple-Cured Bacon Spice Cupcake.
The competition was part of Think Global, Eat Local: An International Taste of Hoffman Estates, an initiative sponsored by the village of Hoffman Estate’s Sister Cities Commission and Tate & Lyle Splenda. The event honored Angouleme, France, Hoffman Estates’ sister city.
Chef Jill Russell, ECC’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program coordinator, saw the competition as a great opportunity for her students.
“We have one of the best programs in the Midwest,” she says. “We presently participate in a burger competition with the Grand Victoria Casino, and this was a wonderful way to specialize a recipe competition for our pastry students. The students competing come from all levels of the pastry program.”
The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program consists of the culinary degree curriculum, pastry/baking degree curriculum, and the restaurant management degree curriculum. Students also gain real-world experience at Spartan Terrace, the student-run restaurant where they prepare and serve elegant cuisine under the guidance of their instructors.
For information on ECC’s collection of culinary, pastry and hospitality management courses and degrees, visit elgin.edu/culinaryarts. For more information about Spartan Terrace Restaurant, visit elgin.edu/spartanterrace.