Two Waukesha County Technical College students excelled at the 2003 College Student Culinary Arts Competition held this March in Milwaukee. Frank Mruk and Eric Taerud won gold medals, and Mruk placed third overall in the competition.

"The professionalism and culinary skills displayed by these students show that the school has a culinary arts program to be proud of," said Susan Quam, head of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation.

Approximately 150 students from seven Wisconsin technical colleges participated in the event, which is part of Host Midwest Expo, Wisconsin's largest foodservice industry trade show. Overall, the judges awarded 39 bronze medals, 50 silver medals and 31 gold medals. Cash prizes were also given to the first, second and third place competitors.

Using beef as their entrée, students designed and presented beautifully plated meals that were judged by experienced chefs from around Wisconsin. Judges used a 100-point scale to evaluate each plate and awarded gold, silver and bronze medals to the top-ranking entries.

The Wisconsin Beef Council sponsored this year's College Student Culinary Arts Competition.

Photos from this event are available by calling Sara Stinski at
800-589-3211 or downloading from www.wirestaurant.org/downloads/.

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