Caps, Corks and Forks: 'Your passion inspires us' says Chef Michael Smith

Caps, Corks and Forks capped off with a victory for Team Beer on February 4.

In the end, 536 caps were cast as votes for Team Beer, over 460 corks for Team Wine at the sold-out dinner event which drew more than 200 guests to the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Guests enjoyed a five-course meal prepared by culinary students, led by Chef Professors Tony DeLuca and Kyle Landry. Each course became a battleground for the most votes in the friendly competition between the College’s wine and beer students, as Team Wine and Team beer each presented a beverage pairing for each course, vying for the most votes. All beverages were required to be from Ontario, and many were from NC – in fact, Team Beer’s five selections were all brewed at the Teaching Brewery.

“We are inspired by you,” said celebrity Chef Michael Smith, the event’s master of ceremonies, to the students.

“Of course, you’re learning from your teachers, from your professors, your chef instructors, but maybe what’s not so obvious to you is how your passion inspires us,” said Smith.

“Those of us who have been doing this for a long time, we know how rare a quality it is to stumble into somebody who’s genuinely into whatever it is that they do – and boy do we see lots of that tonight! – and that’s what I’m taking home with me. That’s what I’ll remember. That’s what I always remember when I leave Niagara College.”

The event marked Round 16 for the popular dinner event which involved students from throughout the Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division. While Student from wine and beer programs battled for supremacy, the meal was prepared by culinary students and served by students from the School of Hospitality and Tourism. Artisan Distilling crafted signature cocktail for a pre-dinner reception, and Baking and Pastry Arts students prepared dessert.

This tied the score with between Team Wine and Team Beer, since Caps Corks and Forks launched in 2012. Team Wine has won eight rounds and this became the eighth win for Team Beer.

Watch CHCH coverage of the event on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 Evening News below.