April 12, 2007

CONTACT: Katie Free, Communications and Marketing, Wallace State
Community College, katie.free@wallacestate.edu, 256/352-8033

Wallace State Culinary Students Take the Cake

Hanceville, Ala.--Students in the Culinary Arts program at Wallace State
Community College in Hanceville culminated their study of cakes, breads
and pastries with a wedding cake decorating competition.

The students worked in teams and were given one week to plan and one
week to complete the cake. Each cake was judged on overall appearance,
originality and creativity, use of color, difficulty of technique,
neatness of cake covering and decorations and skill.

"It was great to see the creative side of the students," said Wallace
State Chef and culinary instructor Chris Villa. "Each team did an
outstanding job, and the students really enjoyed showing off the
techniques they learned in class."

Winning Cake: "Jo Jo" Swearengin of Cullman and Darrell Echols of Decatur pose with the winning cake.

First prize went to the team of Darrell Echols of Decatur, "Jo Jo"
Swearengin of Cullman, and Carleton Waldrep of Haleyville. The team's
theme united traditional soft drink rivals Coke and Pepsi in a
three-layer wedding cake complete with red and blue icing, a veil for
the bride (Pepsi) and a tuxedo for the groom (Coke).

Second place winner.

Third place winner.

Second place team members were Charles Adams and John Hickerson, both of
Cullman. Third place team members were Ashley Bouldin of Lacey's
Springs, Jonathan Grantlun of Decatur, and Rico Nishimura of Brazil.

Judges for the competition were Ron Stallings, campus security; Linda
Sperling, director of admissions; Lorraine Fancher, plant operations;
Bob Howell, criminal justice; and Patrick Gambrill, national guard
recruiter.

Back by popular demand, the Wallace State Culinary Arts department will
resume its lunch service on June 5 with both buffet and a la carte
dining available. The buffet menu will feature southern classics and
the a la carte menu will feature casual dining options such as steak and
seafood. Lunch will be served Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11
a.m. until 1 p.m. The menu will be available by calling 256/352-8227.

For more information on the Wallace State Culinary Arts program, contact
Chef Chris Villa at 256/352-8132.

  Kristen Holmes
  Director, Communications and Marketing
  Wallace State Community College
  P.O. Box 2000
  Hanceville, AL 35077
  256/352-8118
  E-mail: Kristen.Holmes@WallaceState.edu