08/11/2025
It was a great Texas Chefs Association State Convention for the Red River Chapter and Grayson College. Students and instructors had an extremely busy weekend including a tri-tip cook-off, education sessions, and competitions. 6 students competed in the skills competition. They earned two silver medals (Taryn Kiersey and Cole Gibson) and four gold medals (Dalton Glinn, Joseph Fisher, Cody Stinnett, and Jefferson Martinez)! Congrats to Jefferson for his 1st place finish! Chef Joanna Bryant earned a bronze medal in the garde manger category, presented a discussion about student engagement, was elected state 1st vice president, and received a presidential medallion from ACF National President, Rene J. Marquis, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC for her work in the TCA. Student, Joseph Fisher, was awarded a knife by TCA President, Len Pawelek, for his participation on Youth Team USA. Chef Rory Larkins (GC alum) was named Red River Chapter Chef of the Year, Chef Rusty Weatherly received an award for his term as chapter president, won chapter chef educator, and presented a session on certification, and Chef Charles White (GC alum) received a chapter contributor award. Another major highlight was Cole Gibson winning the Student Chef of the Year Award for the Red River Chapter and for the State of Texas. This marks the 8th year in a row a Grayson College student has won this award at the state level!!! Cole graduated GC in May and has started his apprenticeship at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. A very successful end to a busy year! Onwards to the 2025/2026 academic year!
