March 2025 Newsletter 
President's Report
Chefs, Members, & Students,
I hope everyone has had a great year so far. March has been very busy for the chapter. A few weeks ago, many of our chefs were coaching or judging the FCCLA culinary and baking competitions. Congratulations to all of the student chefs competing for state! We had a great meeting on kitchen technology and automation with Lab2Fab and Middleby Marshall hosted by Chef Jonathan Barger at JACK Thistledown Racino.
Chef Alex Gandia, CEC putting the final touches on one dish from his F-4 competition.
Of course, we just wrapped up from our 2025 Great Culinary Classic. What a great weekend of culinary artistry. We had the pleasure to host 10 judges and 62 competitors across many categories. It was great seeing 9 ice carvings, cold food, tallow, baking and pastry, mystery baskets, and contemporary cuisine. The team at Tri-C were gracious hosts and did a fantastic job in helping us execute this competition. Many thanks to all the chefs, students and volunteers that helped this year!
Chef Tim Wright, CEC presenting Chefs Matt Schellig, CEC, CEPC, CCE, CCA, AAC and Kevin Storm, CEC, AAC with our challenge coin for culinary excellence
We are working on some more educational meetings and social gathers for the rest of the year.
The ice carving club will be resuming soon, we will be shifting to our summer schedule of 1 meeting per month until after Labor Day. This will be a great time for new members to join as we will be starting the session at the beginning of the 7 steps of ice carving. If you have experience, you are also welcome to join as we can support carvers of varying skills in the club.
We will be opening up for nominations for officers this year as our term is coming to an end. The office of the president and both vice presidents will be vacant due to term limits. If you have interest in running, reach out to anyone on the board of directors to start the process.
On behalf of the board of directors, I thank you all for your support.
Regards,
Derek Ivancic, CEC, CCA
Welcome New Members
Welcome to our newest members!
- Bobby Burroughs
- Michajlo C. Arrington
- Rivera Ann Denisia
- Nicholas A. Ibarra
- Jeff Urban
