LA HARBOR COLLEGE WINS COVETED GOLDEN CHEF’S HAT TROPHY AT 4TH ANNUAL LACCD CULINARY CUP COMPETITION

The District’s Foundation awards over $143,000 in scholarships to 40 Culinary Arts students at the competition awards ceremony

Los Angeles, CA — Los Angeles Harbor College’s (LAHC) Culinary team captured the coveted Golden Chef’s Hat trophy, winning Los Angeles Community College District’s (LACCD) fourth annual Culinary Cup. As a special feature of this year's event, the Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges surprised and awarded 40 exemplary culinary arts students with over $143,000 in scholarships. Funded by the PepsiCo Foundation's Uplift Scholars program, the scholarships recognize LACCD students’ achievements in the culinary arts certificate and Associate Degree pathways.

The exciting competition, featuring chef instructors and culinary students from the District’s three culinary programs at Los Angeles Trade-Tech College (LATTC), Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC), and LAHC, took inspiration from the flavors of New Orleans. Culinary teams utilized prepared classic Cajun-inspired dishes, serving four courses during the competition.

In addition to the day’s competition, guests enjoyed guided tours of LAHC’s Culinary Arts Building, cooking, and baking demonstrations, a special lunch prepared by Culinary Arts students, and a seat at the awards ceremony.

“Congratulations to LA Harbor College, the 2024 Culinary Cup Champions, as well as each of our student scholarship recipients,” said Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, Ph.D. “Our fourth annual competition highlighted the amazing talent and expertise of students and faculty representing our three outstanding culinary arts programs at LACCD.”

“The annual LACCD Culinary Cup truly is an inspirational opportunity to showcase our cutting-edge culinary programs in a practical, hands-on real-world application,” said LACCD Board President Nichelle Henderson. “All teams showed up to win and all deserved the Golden Chef’s Hat trophy. From the excellent New Orleans-inspired dishes to the remarkable culinary arts students, today’s event highlighted the culinary brilliance within LACCD.”

“Harbor College is proud to serve as the host of LACCD’s fourth annual Culinary Cup competition, welcoming our students, faculty, and community to experience the flavors of New Orleans,” said LAHC President, Dr. Luis Dorado. “With a renowned Culinary Arts pathway program, LAHC proudly delivers students with professional level culinary training, preparing students to embark on successful careers in kitchens across the nation. We are proud to showcase our facilities and excited to be crowned as the 2024 champions. Go Seahawks!”

Images of the event can be accessed at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11eiJIiyfRzEOmYmSJyEoXwLUDHJt2zK6?usp=drive_link

Culinary Arts at LAHC
The Culinary Arts Pathway at LAHC offers programs of study in Culinary Arts. Students gain the competencies needed to build credentials for lifelong career success as they prepare to enter the Food Service Industry. Programs host external accreditation from the American Culinary Federation Educational Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC). Graduates with an AA degree may apply for the first level of industry certification with the ACF.