South Seattle College (SSC) has announced a campus-wide event, "Tastes Like Home," scheduled for Thursday, April 30,. This daylong celebration of food, culture, and community is a collaborative effort between the college's Culinary & Pastry Arts and Nutrition programs and the King Arthur Baking Company. The event is open to the public and will feature live demonstrations, nutrition discussions, and a high-stakes pastry competition,.
Morning Demos and Nutrition Insights
The festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Alhadeff Grill, located in the Culinary Arts Building (CAB), with a live baking demonstration hosted by King Arthur Baking Company. Following the demonstration at 9:45 a.m., SSC Nutrition Science Instructor Dr. Merri Manning will lead a session titled "Eat the Whole Kernel," which explores the nutritional benefits of whole grains.
International Flavors and Student Talent
From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the CAB cafeteria will transform into an International Pop-Up Food Event. Attendees can enjoy a variety of sweet and savory international dishes prepared by SSC students and offered at reasonable prices.
The highlight of the afternoon is the King Arthur Baking Company Pastry Competition, running from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.. Ten selected students and recent alumni will compete by creating unique sweet baked goods that reflect their personal, family, or community traditions. All entries must use King Arthur Baking Company flour and will be judged on technical skill, creativity, and flavor,.
Prestigious Judging and Major Prizes
The competition will be evaluated by a panel of local industry experts, including:
- Rachael Coyle, pastry chef and owner of Coyle’s Bakeshop.
- Christina Wood, pastry chef and owner of Temple Pastry.
- William Leaman, pastry chef and owner of Bakery Nouveau.
- Monica R.M. Brown, President of South Seattle College.
The first-place winner will receive their choice of a week-long trip to the King Arthur Bakery in Norwich, Vermont, or $5,000. Two runners-up will also receive awards of $1,000 each.
Event Logistics
The event takes place at the South Seattle College Main Campus, 6000 16th Ave SW, West Seattle, WA 98106. All scheduled activities will be held in the Culinary Arts Building (CAB). Visitors can find free parking on 16th Ave SW, with paid parking available in the campus North and South lots.
For more information regarding the South Seattle College Culinary & Pastry Arts programs, please visit southseattle.edu
