CULPEPER, VA – October 11, 2024 – As dusk settled over the Culpeper Regional Airport, the air buzzed with anticipation for the annual Sponsor Night Lights event, an exclusive evening that kicks off Culpeper Air Fest weekend. This year’s Sponsor Night Lights dinner was crafted by the talented students from the Culinary Arts Program at Culpeper Technical Education Center (CTEC). The program’s Blaze Kitchen catering team served up a sophisticated buffet to 200 attendees in the sponsor tent, showcasing their culinary artistry for the third consecutive year.
The event’s menu was a collaborative creation under the direction of CTEC Culinary Arts instructor Chef Jay Cohen, who described the students' work as a “culinary feat and a memorable experience for everyone involved.” Chef Cohen noted the dedication it took to pull off the event, saying, “We spent the entire week preparing, with 23 students putting their skills to the test to make this night unforgettable.”
CTEC’s menu for the evening was designed to impress, beginning with an elaborate grazing table that included an assortment of crudités, cheeses, charcuterie, and artisanal breads. Senior lab aid Allison Gabarrete led the grazing table setup and described the experience as especially rewarding. “Everyone telling me how beautiful the table looked made all the hard work worth it,” Gabarrete said, reflecting on her pride in both the display and her role as a student leader.
The buffet menu featured a fresh garden salad with a choice of Italian vinaigrette and ranch dressings, along with classic Italian chicken parmesan, red roasted smashed potatoes, baked rainbow carrots, and reverse-seared, smoked tender beef paired with a rich mushroom sauce. Dessert included individual apple monkey bread muffins, made by Culinary II students who worked together on every detail, from preparation to presentation.
Senior Amaeli Wohlgemuth, a Culinary II student, served guests throughout the night, taking on the task of carving and serving the beef as well as helping to prepare the desserts. “Seeing people come back for seconds and how impressed they were with our team was incredibly rewarding,” Wohlgemuth shared. “It made me feel proud to accomplish something as important as this.” Senior Lucas Stark also served as a carver at the event and says that he hopes to open his own restaurant some day.
Another senior, Madi Anderson, who prepared the desserts, shared her motivation for taking the course, explaining, “I plan on one day opening my own bakery. Events like this are a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” Her passion for baking was evident in the quality of the desserts, which many guests praised throughout the evening.
Jayvon Brown, a Culinary II student and lab aid, shared a personal perspective on what drew him to the program. “I was always around cooking growing up, and when I saw they had this program, I wanted to give it a shot,” Brown said. His advice to future students emphasized the professional aspects of the program. “It’s more of a business, but also something you take to heart,” he shared, adding one key piece of advice for aspiring chefs: “Always clean as you go.”
In addition to showcasing the students’ culinary expertise, the event featured dazzling night entertainment with illuminated model airplanes and hot air balloons, culminating in a nighttime glider performance by airshow legend Manfred Radius.
The Sponsor Night Lights event was an opportunity for CTEC Culinary Arts students to demonstrate their skills to local business leaders, while celebrating the teamwork and preparation that makes their program one of Culpeper County Public Schools’ standout offerings.
