C-CAP Scholarship Program for Young Chefs Comes Full Circle

Sixteen faces fill the computer screen amid an amalgam of backgrounds and name cards. In one view is Donald Wressell, head pastry chef at Guittard Chocolate. His wife, Lorri Wressell, C-CAP LA’s event planner and career advisor, uses a phone to video his two-hour demo on various cooking skills. The high school students are prepping for the preliminary round of the enrichment program’s annual scholarship cooking competition.

Maneuvering around the professional kitchen at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in Pasadena, Chef Donald demonstrates knife skills—how to master five precise cuts—as well as techniques to perfect a French omelet.

“It takes practice, kids,” he says reinforcing that muscle memory is key to learning prep skills that will get them hired.

For the first time, the competition for the scholarship recipients will take place at home. The students will be provided with donated food and equipment and expected to document their process by uploading photos, videos, and personal evaluations.