Six Culinary Students compete in 17th annual Hazelnut Recipe Competition
Culinary Arts student Nuo Cheng took first place in Linn-Benton Community College’s the 17th annual
Hazelnut Recipe Competition held April 26 at the college.
Cheng’s dish of Roasted Hazelnut Curry Lamb Stew beat out five other culinary dishes
for the top prize of $200.
Six students competed in this year’s event, creating original recipes featuring locally-grown
hazelnuts provided by growers Wayne and Joann Chambers. Dishes were tasted and scored
by a panel of judges comprised of community members and culinary experts.
Cheng, from Corvallis, is a first-year Nutrition and Foodservice Systems student at
Oregon State University. He is attending LBCC to complete his one-year culinary background
work which will apply toward his bachelor’s degree at OSU. From China, Cheng currently
works for OSU Dining Services. He has a passion for travel and food, and plans to
travel the world as a chef once he has completed his bachelor’s degree.
“I learned a lot from the competition, and feel it gave me more confidence in myself,”
said Cheng. “I would like to say to other students, if you have self-doubt, just keep
doing your best and working hard, and your efforts will pay off for you.”
The Hazelnut Board of Oregon distributed cash prizes to the winners; $200 for first place, $150 for second, and
$100 for third. Competitors also received the cookbook, "Oregon Hazelnut Country,
The Food, The Drink, The Spirit" by local author Jan Roberts-Dominquez, and five pounds
of locally-grown hazelnuts.
“The students put in a lot of work to create their recipes,” said Sarah Booth, LBCC
culinary instructional assistant and contest coordinator. “It's a fun way help connect
them to appreciating and using local products in their cooking.”
Culinary student Tirrah Garofallou placed second for her recipe of Duck Roulade with
Grilled Oyster Mushrooms and Carrot and Purple Potato Purees. Garofallou, of Albany,
will graduate in June with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. She currently works
at Frankie’s Restaurant, and as a lead cook for the Warehouse Commissary, and works
with Authentic Meals catering.
Tony Franco placed third with his recipe of Scallop Ravioli with Hazelnut, Brussel
Sprout Filling and Sweet Tequila Hazelnut Sauce. Franco, of Corvallis, will graduate
in June with an associate’s degree in Culinary Arts. He plans to continue at OSU to
earn his bachelor’s degree in the Nutrition and Foodservice Systems. Once he completes
his bachelor’s degree, Franco plans to work as an executive chef or in the food science
industry.
LBCC Culinary Arts students Katelynn Bradshaw, Eilliot Walker and Chris Fabbi also
competed.
Competition judges included community members Gary and Diana Actor, Jan Roberts-Dominquez,
Kate Lynch, Ben Vandershuere, and Jon Fonseca.
LBCC’s Hazelnut Recipe competition began in 2001. The Oregon Hazelnut Marketing Board
donates the cash prizes. Hazelnuts used in the competition are provided by local growers
Wayne and Joanne Chambers, who are long-time supporters of the college culinary program.
Photos, left to right: Culinary Arts Hazelnut Competition winners Nuo Cheng (1st place),Tirrah Garofallou (2nd place) and Tony Franco (3rd place).