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Paula Deen Challenge Winner: "Red Hot Freedom"
April 22,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on April 23, 2013
The centerpiece of the "Red Hot Freedom" team from Guilford Technical Community College claimed the trophy for Paula Deens Great Party Challenge on Monday.
Based on the Spring Market theme of Inspiration, five teams of culinary students from GTCC designed and prepared edible centerpieces inspired by one of five family parties: a childs birthday, graduation, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve. Students only had 50 minutes to assemble their centerpiece, which had to be 24 or more inches high.
Paula Deen, TV star, restaurateur and author, hosted the event along with Eric Chilton, host and meteorologist for the Good Morning Show on WFMY News 2 in Greensboro, N.C.
I was amazed and impressed by the speed and skill that the students exhibited when building their centerpieces, said Deen. The final centerpieces were truly works of art. Based on their performances, many of these students have exciting careers ahead of them in the culinary arts.
The 16 students currently are enrolled in the second level culinary skills course taught by Chef L.J. Rush, interim department chair of the School of Culinary and Hospitality Management at GTCC.
Each member of the winning team received a promotional video, with a personal interview taped with Paula Deen to use in their portfolio. They also will be featured on the Paula Deen Facebook page, Twitter, and in her blog that is sent to Paulas 2.5 million followers. In addition, each received a signed cookbook, a trophy designed just for this competition and a gift card worth $250.
Im extremely proud of all of the students, their creativity and their showmanship, said Rush. Each and every student put their heart and soul into this competition. Whether they won or not, this will be a wonderful lifetime memory.