11th Annual Allagash Scholarship Competition

Every year, Allagash brewery in Maine selects one brew from its portfolio to inspire ICE’s professional culinary students as they craft original recipes to feature and pair with the beer. This year they chose their ultra-rare Coolship Resurgam, a gueuze-style beer blended from spontaneously fermented lambics and cask aged for three years. Because of these Belgian roots, students were asked to create a modern Belgian-inspired that featured the unique sour and citrus qualities of the beer.  

After receiving dozens of great student entries, three recipes rose to top, and those students were chosen to participate in a live cook-off to determine the winner! This year's competitors were:

• John Feingold, “CoolShip Poached Lobster with Parsnip Frites, Poppy Seed Mayonnaise and Grilled Belgian Endive”
• Munah Gomes. “Resurgam Battered Double Fried Chicken, Potato Waffles with CoolShip Maple Sauce and Glazed Brussels Sprouts Coleslaw”
• Katherine Buckley, “Sautéed Duck Breasts with Coolship Resurgam, Braised Red Cabbage and Herbed Goat Cheese Crepes”

The dishes were judged by ICE’s own Creative Director, Michael Laiskonis; ICE alumni and Executive Chef of Dos Caminos, Ivy Stark; author of The Allagash Cookbook, James Simpkins; and beer expert Josh Bernstein. The student's performed beautifully in front of an eager audience and the judge’s scores were the tightest in memory. In the end, Katherine’s duck dish brought home the $2,000 scholarship, with Munah taking home $1,000 and John $500. 

Congratulations to all the student's competitors on their inspired and skilled cooking. We look forward to welcoming Allagash at ICE for years to come!