Nick Burdett of Milford, a senior in the Culinary program at Scarlet Oaks Career Campus, knows his stuff in the kitchen.  His instructor says so:  “He is a hard-working, mature, diligent young man,” says Chef Lucille Militello.  His classmates say so; the entire class signed a recommendation nominating Nick for a prestigious award for his work.  Now, the area chapter of the American Culinary Federation agrees; they have named Nick the Junior Culinarian of the Year.

The award is given to the student who best demonstrates leadership and skill in culinary arts and in all academics and who has been working in the culinary industry.

Leadership:   Nick served as manager of a formal dinner to honor Great Oaks distinguished alumni.

Skill:  Nick is excelling in his program, and he also plans to continue his education in the culinary field after high school.

Experience:  He began his career at Montgomery Inn, and now works in the kitchen of the Kenwood Country Club.  Chef Militello praised Nick’s focus on his profession:  “Nick wants to develop additional skills before he takes the higher education route.”

Nick was honored as Junior Culinarian of the Year by Les Chefs DeCuisine Association, the local branch of the American Culinary Federation, the premier professional chefs’ organization in the United States, with more than 20,000 members nationwide.