Judges tastes candidates pairings
McDonald’s Host Culinary Contest to Promote McCafe Coffee line and gives back to School
Dan Coudreaut
The new McDonald’s McCafe coffee line was unveiled in a most innovative manner. The Art Institute of Atlanta’s International Culinary School participated in the McDonald’s Perfect Pairing event in suburban Atlanta. Six culinary school students competed for scholarships by pairing McDonald’s menu items with one of the popular McCafe drinks. McDonald’s executive chef Dan Coudreaut and three local McDonald’s franchise owners were charged with judging the students’ culinary creativity and awarding a $1000 scholarship to the winner.
All sides emerged victorious. Students got a unique opportunity to showcase their skills and win a scholarship, and McDonald’s acquainted guests with the McCafe coffee line which will be available to the public on May 4. ICS students created remarkable combinations. For instance, student chef Sheriefa Bowery paired an iced caramel latte with an apple walnut salad.
Salathial Harris
“Hopefully the students got a lot out of it,” says Coudreaut, McDonald’s director of culinary innovation whose team dreamed up the Southwest Salad and Southern Style Chicken. “I think that I as I talk to them, [I realize] it wasn’t long ago when I was in the same position. [I’m] able to connect to the students and encourage them to continue in this wonderful industry that we’re in [and to] remember to find the passion, hold … and keep cooking.”
Salathial Harris, McDonald’s marketing coordinator, says “This is one way that we are able to give back to the students and the schools. We also do McTeacher’s Night with local schools and we give them 15 percent of sales … We are always looking for ways to give back whether its through funds or funding events with money or food.”
Paul Rice
Nurturing and cultivating young talent is not only gratifying, it is a necessity, says Paul Rice, McDonald’s regional operations supervisor. “I’ve seen children grow and prosper. That’s a pleasure that’s unique to McDonald’s. If you are eager, ambitious and want to grow, the only limit is yourself. We owe our existence to the community — they are our real bosses.”
Community support will continue to uplift and empower both entities — McDonald’s and the neighborhoods that support each store. – terry shropshire.
