Senate Resolution No. 2005

BY: Senator OBERACKER

CONGRATULATING the SUNY Delhi Culinary Hot Food
Team upon the occasion of capturing first place at
the American Culinary Federation Student Team of the
Year Regional Qualifier on March 3, 2024

WHEREAS, Culinary competition enhances the moral and creative
development of the people of this State, instilling in them the value of
teamwork, imparting a desire for success, and developing a sense of
artistic and creative expression; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
dedication and commitment of those individuals who distinguish
themselves through excellence in culinary competition; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate the SUNY Delhi Culinary Hot Food Team upon the occasion of
capturing first place at the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Student
Team of the Year Regional Qualifier on Saturday, March 3, 2024, in
Buffalo, New York; the win secures them a spot in the finals to compete
in Phoenix, Arizona against other regional winners for the national
title of ACF Student Team of the Year 2024; and

WHEREAS, During this esteemed competition, the students are required
to showcase their knife skills by demonstrating various knife cuts; they
have one hour to complete their task and are evaluated on the quality
and volume of their finished cuts; the vegetable cuts are evaluated
blindly, to ensure fairness, and the top eight scoring students compose
the team and team support; and

WHEREAS, The SUNY Delhi Culinary Hot Food Team made a four-course
meal with six portions and served it to the judges; they had 90 minutes
to prepare the food and 20 minutes to serve the food; as part of the
competition's criteria, the courses highlighted local ingredients and
inspiration from the region; the entree was a modern version of Chef
Auguste Escoffier's Poulet Saute a la Catalane; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of culinary instructors Chef
Victor Sommo and Chef Sean Pehrsson, the SUNY Delhi Culinary Hot Food
Team faced a team from Monroe College in New Rochelle, New York; the
hundreds of hours of practice paid off, and these talented students were
able to earn a gold medal; and

WHEREAS, The students on the team, including Brennan Spencer
(captain) of Painted Post, New York; McKena Giles of Castle Creek, New
York; and Moses Rojas of Bronx, New York, all sophomores, as well as
Jahnasia Sutton of Manhattan, New York; and Michael Fanning of Warwick,
New York, who are both first year students, had only one month to
prepare for the competition; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the competition team members, students
Samuel Giordano, of Endicott, New York; Wayne Karnuth of Bolivar, New
York; Nathan Kubinski of Staten Island, New York; Jordan Mckeen of

Liverpool, New York; and Sarthak Thapa of Kathmandu, Nepal were on the
special/support team; and

WHEREAS, SUNY Delhi has long been recognized as one of the best
culinary schools in the nation; in the last decade, Delhi students have
won more than 500 individual and team medals, including multiple
American Culinary Federation (ACF) state, regional, and national titles;
and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges the magnificent talent and representation of excellence
within New York State that is the SUNY Delhi Culinary Hot Food Team,
fully confident its members will continue to enjoy the sparkling
successes they have experienced thus far; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the SUNY Delhi Culinary Hot Food Team upon the occasion of
capturing first place at the American Culinary Federation Student Team
of the Year Regional Qualifier on March 3, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Team Members: Brennan Spencer (captain), McKena Giles,
Moses Rojas, Jahnasia Sutton, Michael Fanning, Samuel Giordano, Wayne
Karnuth, Nathan Kubinski, Jordan Mckeen, and Sarthak Thapa; and culinary
instructors, Chef Victor Sommo and Chef Sean Pehrsson.