ACC Students Win Gold at National Cooking Competition

Photo: Assiniboine College Facebook

Assiniboine Community College culinary students Alicia Decosse and Presley Kuharski have cooked their way to national recognition, winning gold at the 2025 Cooks the Books Student Cooking Competition held in Toronto earlier this month.

Representing ACC’s Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts, the talented duo competed against teams from culinary schools across the country in a challenge designed to test creativity, skill, and teamwork under pressure. Hosted by Taste Canada, the annual competition celebrates the next generation of chefs by pairing students with award-winning Canadian cookbooks for inspiration.

Decosse and Kuharski impressed judges with their technique and presentation, earning the top prize and a $3,000 bursary. The competition drew participants from several post-secondary culinary programs nationwide, making the win a significant accomplishment for both the students and their college.

Held at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York, the 2025 edition of Cooks the Books was part of Taste Canada’s annual awards celebration, which honours excellence in Canadian food writing and culinary innovation.

Their gold-medal performance continues to elevate ACC’s reputation as one of Canada’s top destinations for aspiring chefs. The Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts has consistently produced standout graduates, and this national victory adds to the program’s growing list of accolades.