Chef Chris Foltz of Southwestern Oregon Community College has been selected to compete in the 2010 World Ice Art Championships, held in Fairbanks, Alaska.
COOS BAY, OR – Chef Chris Foltz of Southwestern Oregon Community College has been selected to compete in the 2010 World Ice Art Championships, held in Fairbanks, Alaska.
“This is the ‘Culinary Olympics’ of the carving world,” said Shawn Hanlin, Executive Director of Oregon Coast Culinary Institute.
This is the ‘Culinary Olympics’ of the carving world,” said Shawn Hanlin, Executive Director of Oregon Coast Culinary Institute.
According to the event’s website, it is one of the largest annual ice art competitions and exhibitions in the world. The World Ice Art Championships, in their 21st year, have grown to a month-long event involving more than 70 teams from all over the world. The competitions and the accompanying Kids Park attract more than 100 ice artists and approximately 45,000 visitors. Sculptors will work between Feb. 20 and March 5.
The college has an interest in offering ice carving classes to their students in the future. Another chef and a student may be joining Foltz in Alaska to explore the craft.
The National Ice Carving Association (NICA) has close ties to the America Culinary Federation (ACF).
“This opportunity presents the college with momentum to take advantage of Chef Chris’s other great talent of ice carving.” said Hanlin. “Many prospective students ask if we teach ice carving. I look forward to the time we actually do.”