(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA – April 5, 2024)—Life is sweet for Delaware County Community College Culinary Arts students, who received the “People’s Choice Award” at Sweet Charity 2024, a Chester County Community Foundation (CCCF) dessert competition between some of the finest restaurants, bakeries and caterers in Chester County. The event was held March 5, 2024 at the Whitford Country Club in Exton. It was the second year in a row that DCCC students took home a prize at the prestigious competition. 

DCCC Culinary Arts students Marian Haller of Pottstown, Lucas Jenkins-Michl of West Chester, and Alan Pickering of Coatesville put their skills to the test against 11 teams comprising some of Chester County’s finest dessert chefs. Their mouthwatering entry, “The Blue and Gold Phantom,”—a delectable concoction of cheesecake circles with blueberry compote and lemon curd, with a name honoring the College’s mascot—was recognized by a panel of professional judges. DCCC students David Bill of Media, Alex Bedford of Folcroft and Maxx Atkinson of Landenberg assisted their classmates in preparing for the event. 

The students worked for several weeks under the guidance of DCCC chef instructor Lynn Lindquist and DCCC assistant professor Ruth O’Rourke to prepare for the competition, which supports CCCF’s mission to connect people with causes that matter. 

Delaware County Community College’s Culinary Arts program offers a flexible schedule and comprehensive curriculum in which students explore everything from baking to international, ethnic and regional cuisines, as well as menu planning and food service purchasing. 

Students can pursue a Culinary Arts associate degree or certificate while learning the current industry standard for planning, operation, safe food handling practices and record keeping in a restaurant, catering or food service operation. Upon graduation, they are prepared to seek employment in a wide variety of commercial and non-commercial food service operations. For more information on the program, visit dccc.edu/culinary-arts.   

Photo caption: The DCCC Culinary Arts team of (L to R) chef instructor Lynn Lindquist and students David Bill, Marian Haller, Lucas Jenkins-Michl, Alan Pickering and Maxx Atkinson celebrate their Sweet Charity 2024 “People’s Choice” award. Not pictured: student Alex Bedford and assistant professor Ruth O’Rourke.