Local chef competes in national competition | News

Local pastry chef and part-time Madison College instructor Julia Julian is vying to become the national pastry chef of the year.

The Portage native is the central region pastry chef of the year.  Now, she's headed to Orlando for the American Culinary Federation's national competition.  Julian's pineapple rum cake and her hazelnut cream with espresso panna cotta will challenge the desserts of two other regional winners.

Julian said that other competitors have more experience than her, but she has learned a lot during this process.  She will take her knowledge back to the classroom in the fall.

Julian will receive a $5,000 prize if she wins the competition.  Marissa Bertram, a student at Madison College, will also compete for student chef of the year.