FROM STAFF REPORTS

HOOVER—Jefferson State Community College culinary student Joy Phillips recently earned top honors during the Alabama SkillsUSA Culinary Competition in Birmingham on April 9.

During the competition, students developed detailed food preparation plans and were given a 45-minute time frame to complete all dishes.

Contestants were rated on organization, knife skills, cooking techniques, creative presentation, sanitation food safety techniques and, above all, the quality and flavor of their prepared items.

“Joy is a phenomenal student who excels in all areas of Jefferson State’s culinary program,” Jeff State Culinary and Hospitality Institute Director Joseph Mitchell said. “She brings a professional work ethic and attitude to both the classroom and kitchen every day. All of us are very proud of her accomplishment and we look forward to Joy competing at the national level.”

Phillips attends the Shelby-Hoover Campus and maintains a 4.0 GPA. She will travel to Louisville, Ky., for the national competition in June.

SkillsUSA is devoted to preparing students for postsecondary learning and careers in technical, skilled and service occupations. Nationally, it serves more than 300,000 high school, college and professional members. In Alabama, it has more than 10,000 high school and college members

For more information about Jeff State’s culinary program, visit Jeffstate.edu/chi.