Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

(Media welcome to photograph displayed food.)

11/09/05
Story by Peggy Graham

JCCC Hosts John Joyce Culinary Competition

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Fire breathing from these dragons would cause a meltdown. These two 4-foot by 4-foot chocolate sculptured dragons by Stafford Decambra, American Culinary Federation professional chef from Mississippi, are entries in the annual John Joyce Culinary Competition and Salon hosted by the ACF Greater Kansas City Chefs Association at Johnson County Community College. Decambra’s two chocolate dragons along with other entries will be on display from 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 11, on the first floor of the Office and Classroom Building, Johnson County Community College. 

The annual John Joyce Culinary Competition and Salon, sanctioned by the American Culinary Federation, is held every November for individual professional and student chefs in two categories – hot and cold. Cold entries will be displayed at 8:30 a.m. and hot entries will be displayed starting at 11 a.m. Nov. 11. Student teams will compete the next day. 

In 2000, the late John Joyce, former JCCC associate professor of hospitality management, established the first culinary competition for professional chefs and students at JCCC.  Joyce organized the competition for two years –  2000 and 2001. After Joyce’s death Nov. 17, 2001, the competition was renamed in his honor.

For more information, contact John Head, show chair, 913-469-8500, ext. 3916.