ELIZABETHTOWN — School Nutrition staff with the Bladen County Schools have proven themselves to be not only great chefs but food artists as well. At the recent School Nutrition Association state conference, Bladen County’s school nutrition professionals competed in the Culinary Art Challenge, winning several awards.

Culinary Art is the art of the preparation, cooking and presentation of food, usually in the form of meals. A quick search of Culinary Art on Pinterest brings up a bevy of food presentations and designs straight from gourmet chefs. Some of the presentations are elaborate designs with intricate detail while others are simple yet stunning. The one thing they all have in common though is that the design is made entirely of food.

The state culinary arts competition has six categories ranging from muffins to decorated cakes and farm to school display. Bladen County placed in the top three in four categories, competing against over 300 entries. Along with individual winners, Bladen County also won the Produce Art Challenge, taking top state honors.

Winners included:

— Sandra Breland – Bladenboro Primary School, Best of Show overall winner, Decorated Cake

— Sandra Breland (BBP), Sherry Joyner (BBP), Stephanie Bryan (EBHS), Bridgett Barnes (BLP) – State Winner, Produce Art Challenge

— Nancy Gibson – Bladenboro Middle School, first place, Breads

— Sandra Breland – Bladenboro Primary School, first place, Decorative Cake

— Sharon Nance – Clarkton School of Discovery, second place, Muffins

— Nancy Gibson – Bladenboro Middle School, second place, Desserts

— Sharon Nance – Clarkton School of Discovery, third place, Complete Lunch

— Lovella Jacobs – West Bladen High School, third place, Cakes

— Christa Murdock – Dublin Primary School, third place, Desserts

— Sherry Joyner – Bladenboro Primary School, third place, Seasonal Decoration

— Freda Hales – Dublin Primary School, third place, Farm to School Display