BY KAREN MANNING

Special to The Pilot

If the culinary world awarded an Oscar, a former Sandhills Community College student was the semifinalist for one.

The James Beard Foundation nominated Michael Toscano for "Rising Star Chef of the Year." Toscano has made a name for himself in the New York City restaurant Manzo. >

Many culinary careers have been launched after the winning of a James Beard Foundation award. Toscano was among 403 semifinalists for the annual chef and restaurant awards. More than 28,000 entries were received. >

Judges are made up of more than 550 critics, food and wine editors, culinary educators and past winners.

"We are enormously proud of Michael," says Ted Oelfke, chair of the department of hospitality and culinary arts at the college. "It is always rewarding to know that our college had a hand in laying the foundation for a very successful career."

Toscano was among 31 chefs contending for the "Rising Star Chef of the Year." Nominees had to be 30 years old or younger, display an impressive talent and be likely to make a significant impact on the culinary industry in years to come.

James Beard Foundation Awards are the nation's most prestigious recognition program honoring the best and brightest professionals in the food and beverage industries. Established in 1990, the James Beard Foundation Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and continue to emphasize the Foundation's mission: to celebrate, preserve, and nurture America's culinary heritage and diversity.

The college offers three hospitality and culinary arts programs: culinary technology, baking and pastry arts and hotel and restaurant management.

The culinary technology program at Sandhills offers an associate degree and a certificate. Students are provided specific training required to prepare them to assume positions as trained culinary professionals in a variety of food service settings including full-service restaurants, hotels, resorts, clubs, catering operations, contract food service and health care facilities.

The baking and pastry arts curriculum is designed to prepare graduates with the skills and knowledge required for employment in the baking/pastry industry including restaurants, hotels, independent bakeries/pastry shops, wholesale/retail markets and high-volume bakeries. >An associate degree and certificate is offered.

The hotel and restaurant management degree curriculum at Sandhills Community College prepares students to understand and apply the administrative and practical skills needed for supervisory and managerial positions in hotels, motels, resorts, inns, restaurants, institutions and clubs.

Complete information about these and all programs and majors at Sandhills Community College can be found on the college website at sandhills.edu. >