CCAP Arizona's Final Competition is set for Saturday, March
19. You need to arrive at Le
Cordon Bleu, 8100 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, by 8:30 a.m. to check in.
Competition is set to begin at 9 a.m
Competing in CCAP's finals requires only that you master the
techniques needed to produce two plates of chicken chasseur and two of
pastry-cream filled dessert crepes. With chocolate sauce, thanks.
There are no hacks, no "back doors," and no short
cuts.
There are, however, plenty of tips that can give you a head
start (and if you're not willing to practice, this can be your "heads up."
Recipes can be downloaded from www.ccapinc.org. Click on
"Locations," click "Arizona," click
"Competition," and go to Final Competition Recipes. And, here are a few tips to get you started.
* Follow the recipes! Exactly. The only place for creativity in the Final Competition is in plating. Recipes
must
be followed as they are written.
* Make sure you bring ALL equipment that you need to the finals (make a list ahead of time!). You can only use what you bring; absolutely no borrowing or sharing. You will need two (2) saute pans (one for chicken, one for crepes).
* Make sure your kitchen uniform is correct, including proper footwear (NO tennis shoes.) When you arrive at Finals, you will receive a CCAP jacket, an apron, and a hat. Your hair must be completely contained in the hat (no escaping curls or tendrils, no matter how cute it looks). Minimal to no makeup, no jewelry, no perfume or body spray (no detectable scent). NO GUM. No fingernail polish; no fake fingernails.
* You must bring your own chicken stock and chicken glaze. All other food items will be provided (see your recipes).
* Here's what you'll have on your mise: Strawberries will be provided to garnish your crepe (optional) (BIG tip: if you garnish with a berry, you better figure out how you're putting some berry into your dish). Olive oil, clarified butter, cold butter and russets will be provided.
* Make sure you are using cornstarch in your pastry cream (no flour).
* You will make two plates of chicken chasseur and two plates of crepes: one for judges' tasting and one for presentation.
* Presentation plates will be provided.
* You are required to stay after the competition for an interview with Richard Grausman of CCAP. Students coming the greatest distance will be interviewed first. The last interview may be as late as 6 p.m. Remember, you want Mr. Grausman to spend as much time with you as possible so that you can convey which scholarships interest you most: this process takes time. (watch for tips about interviewing - you'll think it's a piece o' cake)
* TEACHERS HAVE A FULL LIST OF ALL CCAP SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. ASK FOR IT!!! (why do you want tho list? Because, say you have an aunt who lives in Atlanta. If she can help with housing or any other way, maybe you could win the scholarship to Atlanta's Art Institute!)
* Lunch will be provided.
* Make sure you bring ALL equipment that you need to the finals (make a list ahead of time!). You can only use what you bring; absolutely no borrowing or sharing. You will need two (2) saute pans (one for chicken, one for crepes).
* Make sure your kitchen uniform is correct, including proper footwear (NO tennis shoes.) When you arrive at Finals, you will receive a CCAP jacket, an apron, and a hat. Your hair must be completely contained in the hat (no escaping curls or tendrils, no matter how cute it looks). Minimal to no makeup, no jewelry, no perfume or body spray (no detectable scent). NO GUM. No fingernail polish; no fake fingernails.
* You must bring your own chicken stock and chicken glaze. All other food items will be provided (see your recipes).
* Here's what you'll have on your mise: Strawberries will be provided to garnish your crepe (optional) (BIG tip: if you garnish with a berry, you better figure out how you're putting some berry into your dish). Olive oil, clarified butter, cold butter and russets will be provided.
* Make sure you are using cornstarch in your pastry cream (no flour).
* You will make two plates of chicken chasseur and two plates of crepes: one for judges' tasting and one for presentation.
* Presentation plates will be provided.
* You are required to stay after the competition for an interview with Richard Grausman of CCAP. Students coming the greatest distance will be interviewed first. The last interview may be as late as 6 p.m. Remember, you want Mr. Grausman to spend as much time with you as possible so that you can convey which scholarships interest you most: this process takes time. (watch for tips about interviewing - you'll think it's a piece o' cake)
* TEACHERS HAVE A FULL LIST OF ALL CCAP SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. ASK FOR IT!!! (why do you want tho list? Because, say you have an aunt who lives in Atlanta. If she can help with housing or any other way, maybe you could win the scholarship to Atlanta's Art Institute!)
* Lunch will be provided.
* Consider attending the March 12 final practice. If nothing else, you'll find out what you're doing right - which will make you just enough confident to face the judges on March 19.
Finally - keep an eye out for a few more tips on finals. Coming soon.
