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HFCC student named student chef of the year

Release Date

By Kurt Anthony Krug

The Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association has declared HFCC student Brad Alderman as Student Chef of the Year.

Every year, faculty from seven culinary schools in Southeastern Michigan--HFCC, Schoolcraft College, Oakland Community College, Washtenaw Community College, Macomb Community College, Dorsey School for Culinary Arts in Roseville, Mich. and the Art Institutes Culinary School in Novi, Mich.--nominate one outstanding student for this honor. Alderman, along with his peers from the other culinary schools, was presented his 2011 Student Chef of the Year in September at the Orchard Lake Country Club.

'It’s a surprise and it's an honor. I also feel it's a privilege. It's good to know I've earned the respect of the chefs and teachers here who nominated me. It means so much that they think highly of me,' said Alderman, of Trenton, who will graduate with his associate's degree in Culinary Arts & Hotel Restaurant Management in December.

Upon graduation, he hopes to transfer to Eastern Michigan University or Sienna Heights University to pursue his undergraduate degree in Hotel Restaurant Management. Eventually, he would like to teach in a culinary program.

'I’ve always had a passion for food. I watched food shows before it was popular to do so. There's something about getting immediate satisfaction when preparing a meal. Whatever you create is immediate served and other people enjoy it--hopefully,' said Alderman. 'The College's Culinary Arts program is great; it is an exemplary program. The teachers are phenomenal. They want to be involved and they care about their students,' he added.

Eric Gackenbach, the lead instructor in the Culinary Arts & Hotel Restaurant Management department, stated it was no surprise that Alderman received this honor.

'He has good leadership skills and helps other students out whenever he has the opportunity. He's thoughtful and inquisitive, as well as a hard worker--these are the keys to industry success,' said Gackenbach.