More than 150 people turned out for the third annual Holiday Hobnob held at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Hospitality and Resort Management Center in Biloxi on November 2. Competition winners, all MGCCC students, received $1,600 in scholarships or culinary knife kits the night of the event.

“This event gives our students the opportunity to shine and demonstrate to the community the skills they learn in the classroom,” said Christen Duhé, chair of the Holiday Hobnob & Cookie Competition. “Our goal when we created this event three years ago was to showcase our students and facilities while also delivering a first class networking opportunity to the community that would help us raise money for scholarships. This year we raised over $6,000.00.”

The winners of the cookie competition were Joseph Trochesset, first place; Priscilla Wilson, second place; and Kimberly Costilow, third place. Trochesset prepared Earl Grey and lemon cookies for the win. Wilson prepared maple pecan macaroons and Costilow prepared turtle pecan cookies.

In the side-dish competition, winners were Joanna Mitchell, first place; Coquita Duckworth, second place; and Kim Ross, third place. Mitchell prepared bacon-wrapped brussel sprouts for the winning side dish. Ross prepared shrimp mac & cheese and Ducksworth prepared seafood pasta.

Tickets for a special raffle featuring Chef Todd Reilly will continue to be sold through December 15. One lucky winner will receive a three-course dinner prepared by Chef Todd for up to six people. Sixteen second-place winners will receive invitations to a Healthy Cooking Class offered by Hillary Levens, Healthy Learning Environment MGC-3 coordinator. Raffle tickets are $5 a piece or three for $10. To purchase tickets, contact Dynne Easterling at (228) 896-2541 or dynne.easterling@mgccc.edu.

Share This Article