FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 6, 2010
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

Mississippi Army National Guard enlists help from MUW Culinary Arts Institute

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women student Sophia Durrah of Columbus was back on campus last week but not as a culinary student.

Durrah, who is a sergeant in the Mississippi Army National Guard, joined some of her Army team members for a two-day food service workshop offered by the Culinary Arts Institute. As part of that workshop, the team increased its knowledge of seasonings and spices as well as garnishing and display.

Even though she is a sophomore in MUW’s culinary program, Durrah said she is always learning.

“We have learned what flavors can be used to enhance certain foods and how they can be substituted for something else.”

The Mississippi Army National Guard is an active participant in the Connelly Awards Program, which is conducted by the Department of the Army and is co-sponsored by the International Food Service Executive Association.

Objectives of the program are to improve the professionalism of food service personnel, provide recognition of excellence in the preparation and serving of food in Army troop dining facilities and during field kitchen operations and provide added incentive to competitive programs of installation management agencies and major Army commands by adding a higher level of competition and appropriate recognition.

MUW’s Culinary Arts Institute joined the venture in 2008 to provide hands-on instruction to the team.

“I hope they will take a few basic ideas to help them improve cooking in their unit and in their home life,” said Joshua Oubre, chef instructor. “I also want them to know that they can use simple spices available to them to enhance their food content.”