On Saturday, May 7, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College hosted yet another of its annual scholarship events for high school students, this time the 2016 Culinary Competition. We were excited to have 20 students hailing from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware come to our Philadelphia campus to show us their cooking chops for the chance to earn partial tuition!

The Culinary Competition challenged students to compose a chicken dish with an array of ingredients that they didn €™t know about until they arrived in our kitchens. This surprise element to the competition forced the students to think on their feet and really brought out the creative cooking ideas we love to see! In fact, the judges were so impressed that they awarded top prizes in the high school and vo-tech divisions to seven students instead of the usual six, with two students tying for third in the vo-tech division! All of the students walked away with a $500 scholarship to attend Walnut Hill College, so the day was an overall success for everyone who participated.

We’d like to thank all of the students for competing as well as their instructors and parents for  supporting them during contest prep. Of course, a huge thank you goes to our esteemed chef judges–some of whom are alumni–Marcie Turney, Evan Turney, Rocco Cima, and Todd Braley!

Please enjoy the photo album from our 2016 Culinary Competition.

On Saturday, April 30, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College hosted its 20th annual Chocolate Competition for high school juniors and seniors. This event showcased the talents of rising pastry professionals and gave the young competitors the chance to earn scholarships to attend the college in the program of their choice. Over 20 students from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland descended onto our Philadelphia campus to vie for the top prize in their respective division: high school or vocational-technical school.

For the competition, all of the students had to bake a chocolate cake prior to arriving on campus. What set each cake apart was the extraordinary design work that each student put into his or her confection on competition day! Whether they chose to make a simple but elegant cake or go all out with a multi-colored, multi-layered masterpiece, the students were encouraged to be creative. Judging the students €™ cakes were Kathy Gold, Executive Chef and Owner of In the Kitchen Cooking School, Nancy Miller, Executive Chef at Villanova University €™s Donahue Court, and Jill McClennan, Food Technologist at Campbell Soup Company.

All of the competitors went home with a $500 scholarship to attend our school, while the top three winners in both divisions also won scholarships in the amount of $6000, $3000, and $1800. Congratulations to all of the students who competed!

View the photo album from our  2016 Chocolate Competition.

Timeless: A Gastronomic Tour Through the Ages  is the newest pop-up restaurant at Walnut Hill College.   Twenty one Bachelor students have planned and executed every aspect of this limited time experience available March 15^th– April 16^th 2016. The website with menu and access to reservations can be found here. The menu takes guests from the 16^th century through to the 21^st with three courses: appetizer, entrée and dessert; the menu is paired with a lovely, inventive cocktail menu. Options are friendly to both meat-eaters and vegetarians in all courses!

Guests are greeted and seated, then introduced to a confident and professional management student who provides a brief overview of the project. This pop-up does not hold back on delicious bread or beautiful presentation; the menu is especially aesthetically pleasing! Every plate looks strategically executed and presents a piece of history (and a piece of something delicious).  Each entrée option is inventive and inspired by the 18^th and 19^th centuries; one option is a unique and delicious polenta vegetable lasagna. The sweetest and final course boasts modern-time influenced dessert options. For a truly unexpected and lovely taste experience try The Tea Party, you €™ll want to order several to take home for a midnight snack. Timeless is a treat for every palate; the bachelor students strategically planned every aspect of the experience. Don €™t miss out on this limited time pop up!

Friday, March 18  marked WHC €™s Freshman Showcase, during which our campus was turned into a wonderland of food, drink, and decor. Upon arrival, guests received a “passport” directing them through different cultural experiences for the palate. The red carpet was rolled out and guests were invited to walk through the restaurants, kitchens, and classrooms to sample sweet and savory morsels and assorted beverages–including wine for those of age! Cheers to our wonderful freshmen and all of the faculty and staff who helped to make Friday night so delectable!

Freshman Showcase was a truly delightful display of how hard each student has worked so far in their career at Walnut Hill College. Culinary, pastry, and management skills were crucial in pulling off such a large and amazing event. Guests were treated to delicious seafood, some Italian staples, a chocolate fountain, and many other themed savory treats! Every aspect of our newest students’ knowledge was put to the test for their family, friends, and even future colleagues, as some incoming students attended to see what they have to look forward to later this year. The freshmen have already expanded their knowledge in their short time at the college, and Friday €™s event certainly reinforced all of their hard work and proved they have the passion to showcase their technical skills and creative expertise. Families and friends were undoubtedly impressed with the visual presentation and, of course, all of the food upon which they feasted! Hats off to the freshman class at Walnut Hill College. Keep up the beautiful and tasty work!

Here’s our Freshman Showcase photo album!

Sunday, March 13  marked graduation at Walnut Hill College. Although it was rainy, bachelor and associate students donned gowns and decorated graduation caps for the momentous occasion. Family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered at the University of Pennsylvania to celebrate the newest members of the working force. Several awards were granted, including one in recognition of  those who very impressively maintained perfect attendance throughout their degree programs.

Students and their guests enjoyed two keynote speakers, one a fellow graduate of WHC. Following eloquent and engaging speeches from the valedictorian of each degree program, Dean Morrow announced the names of his “newest colleagues” as students crossed the stage with pride and received medals, degrees, and congratulations from President Liberatoscioli and Executive Vice President Karl Becker. The ceremony concluded and the grads tossed their beautifully decorated caps in celebration.  Cheers to the newest graduates! The WHC community is so proud and cannot wait to see what you’ll do next!

View our Commencement Ceremony photo album.