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HGTC Culinary Team Wins Bronze Medal and Second Place at Southeast Regional Competition

(Conway, SC) 04/14/2025

ACF Southeast Regional Competition  HGTC Culinary Team Wins Bronze Medal and Second Place at Southeast Regional Competition

Photo Caption: From left to right – Master Pastry Chef Joseph Decker (Judge), Rachel Martin (Student), Maria-Victoria Rodriguez (Student), Alyssa Dionne (Student), Chef Alan Neace (Judge), Meadow Strganac (Student), Chef Frank Costantino (Judge), and Don Princiotta (Team Captain).

Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) International Culinary Institute (ICI) student team earned a Bronze Medal and second place overall at the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Southeast Regional Student Team Competition, a prestigious event that celebrates culinary excellence and teamwork among top culinary schools.

Competing against some of the best student culinary teams in the region, the ICI team demonstrated outstanding skill, professionalism, and collaboration. Their performance impressed a panel of master chefs and judges, earning high praise for both technical execution and the quality of their final dishes.

“We are incredibly proud of our culinary students and their outstanding achievement on the regional stage,” said Dr. Marilyn “Murph” Fore, HGTC President. “This accomplishment reflects the hard work, talent, and dedication of both the students and our faculty. They’ve represented HGTC with distinction and professionalism.”

Led by Team Captain Don Princiotta, the ICI team included Rachel Martin (Dessert), Maria-Victoria Rodriguez (Fish), Alyssa Dionne (Duck), and Meadow Strganac (Salad). The team was evaluated by esteemed ACF judges including Master Pastry Chef Joseph Decker, Chef Alan Neace, and Chef Frank Costantino.

Chef Joseph Bonaparte, HGTC Executive Director of the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach, shared his pride in the team, “Our students and chef instructors did an outstanding job and represented the College extremely well. They came together quickly and worked seamlessly as a team, which is a huge part of what this competition is all about. There were so many positives to their performance and the food they presented. We couldn’t be prouder.”

This recognition continues to affirm HGTC’s International Culinary Institute as one of the premier culinary programs in the Southeast, known for producing highly skilled graduates ready to thrive in the culinary industry.

For more information about the HGTC International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach, visit hgtc.edu/culinary or call 843-347-3186.