Left: Students from the Canadian Food and Wine Institute pose with their coaches after the awards ceremony at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition.
Right: Student Minseo Kim wins silver in Hairstyling at the competition.
Six Niagara College students are now medal winners after outshining students from across the province at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition.
Four out of a possible six medals in the Postsecondary Baking and Culinary Arts categories (two in Baking and two in Culinary Arts) were granted to students from Niagara College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute– including two gold medals.
Baking and Pastry Arts student Sophie Maille (Niagara-on-the-Lake) and Culinary Management student Ramel Fortes (Toronto/Thorold) had the ultimate recipes for success, winning gold in the Postsecondary Baking and Culinary Arts, respectively.
Baker-Patisserie Apprentice student Anita Armenti Nadon (Port Colborne) captured silver in Baking, and second-year Culinary Management student Jesse Wallace (Fergus) won bronze in Culinary Arts.
“Proud does not begin to describe my feelings on this historic success at Ontario Skills for CFWI. This not only is testament to the professors that support the specific training but speaks to the level of skill development and commitment from all our staff at the College,” said CFWI dean Craig Youdale. “Now we can take the College brand to a national level and continue to show the country where the best training is available.”
After winning the top spot in the province, Maille and Fortes will advance to the Skills Canada National Competition to be held in Saskatoon May 27-30.
Maille said she was overwhelmed with joy after winning the gold medal. “I’ve worked extremely hard to get to where I am today. Continuing to nationals is a dream come true,” she said. “My skill level has definitely blossomed this year. I feel so much more confident in my ability to work with chocolate and sugar. The teachers here at Niagara care so much for their students and would do anything to see us succeed. I have learned so many new techniques and skills for the program that will stay with me forever.”
Fortes, 19, said he sacrificed a lot to compete in the competition including giving up a family vacation, said he felt grateful and honoured to represent Ontario and Niagara College at nationals. “I worked hard to get to this point and I plan on working even harder to get gold at nationals as well,” said Fortes. “No matter what the outcome I am thankful for everyone who has supported me.”
In addition to the Canadian Food and Wine Institute’s successes, Niagara College students also won medals in two other categories: Minseo Kim earned silver in Hairstyling; and second-year Esthetician student Christina Ventresca (Niagara Falls) was honoured with bronze in Aesthetics.
“On behalf of the School of Trades I would like to congratulate Niagara College student Minseo Kim for winning a silver medal for Hairstyling in the recent provincial Skills competition In Waterloo. Special thanks to our entire Hairstyling Team for working with Minseo in her preparation. I also would like to congratulate our other competitors for a strong showing from our Motive Power, AST, Construction, and Electrical Techniques programs,” said Tim McLeod, associate dean, School of Trades, and head of apprenticeship. “Thank-you to all of our Niagara College faculty and staff for not only preparing our contestants but also for attending and participating in the competition. It is rewarding to see such dedication to our students, the School of Trades, and Niagara College.”
“I have seen how hard our skills competitors have been practicing. We are all thrilled by Christina’s effort and achievements,” said Jeff Stewart, associate dean, Hospitality and Tourism. “A big thanks is also owed to our faculty and staff who helped guide and mentor Christina to success.”
Ventresca, 23, who is graduating this spring and already accepted a full-time position at a spa in Killarney, said that it was an honour for her to represent the College and her program at the competition.
“Skills enhanced my educational experience at NC, by opening up many doors, and teaching me a new product line that’s will definitely be of benefit for my career in esthetics,” she said. “As well Skills has given me the confidence in myself that I was lacking. I can’t thank my teachers enough for training me countless hours and weeks, this is a medal that should be shared with them … they really deserve it! “
The 26th annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition took place May 4-6 at RIM Park in Waterloo. It is Canada’s largest skilled trades competition. More than 1,900 elementary, secondary and post-secondary students from across Ontario participated in the event.
