NCOC Culinary Team Takes Third Straight Burger Battle At Culinary Arts Institute

Standing on the podium at the 2025 New York State Restaurant Association's ProStart Invitation Burger Battle at the The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park are, from left: Vesti Johnson, chef and assistant culinary instructor; Naddiyah Morgan, of Stamford Central, second place winner; Abby Merwin, Jefferson Central, first place winner and Jody Albano, Culinary Arts Instructor. This is the third straight win for the culinary students at the Northern Catskills Occupational Center (NCOC) in Grand Gorge.

And the winning burger was this Sweet Heat Bacon Burger, created by Abby Merwin.

The winning team in this year’s ProStart Virtual Gingerbread Competition at the Culinary Arts Institute included: Lilly Hrycyna, of Stamford Central;  Abby Merwin, of Jefferson Central; Hailey Temple, of Stamford Central; Kylie Liddle, of Gilboa Conesville and Ayana Sarter, of Roxbury Central with their “Farm House” entry.

GRAND GORGE – The Northern Catskills Occupational Center in Grand Gorge is home to a remarkable group of students. For the third straight year, students in the Culinary Arts program at NCOC stood at the top of the podium in the annual New York State Restaurant Association's ProStart Invitation Burger Battle at the The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park.

Jody Albano, is proud beyond words, "Three years of hard work, dedication and pushing the limits of what's possible and competing against some of the best culinary talent in New York State. And three years of placing first in this competition."

She also credits her teaching assistant Vesti Johnson, who is an integral part of the program at NCOC. "She works just as hard as I do," said Chef Albano.

The two cannot say enough about their students and how much they stepped up to take on this competition and win it. "I am in awe of what these students have accomplished," said Chef Albano. "The pressure in a competition like this is intense and the stakes are high. The expectations are even higher. And yet, they rise to the challenge each time."

The competition consists of creating a restaurant ready burger and side dish in 50 minutes. They are judged on knife skills, safety, sanitation, professionalism, difficulty, creativity and execution. "There's no room for error and there are no second chances," said Chef Albano. "It is just the student and their skills operating under the pressure of performing at the highest level. "They have proven that talent isn't limited to just the big city schools."

The small upstate tech school  is now recognized by the chefs from the Culinary Institute of America. "They compliment our students on their professionalism, skill and execution. That alone speaks volumes," said Chef Albano.

She thanked past and present students for their dedication, passion, skill, determination and heart they can take anywhere. "We are small, but mighty. And we are just getting started."

Helping get this small upstate technical school program into the limelight for three straight years were: Anthony Accordino and Skye Lewis, both from Roxbury Central, first and second place, respectively, in the 2023 competition; Naddiyah Morgan, of Stamford Central, first place in 2024,  and this year's winners - Abigail Merwin, of Jefferson Central and Hailey Temple, of Stamford Central, first and second place, respectively.  

This year's winner, Abby Merwin, created the Sweet Heat Bacon Burger, described as a bold short rib beef burger infused with jalapenos, jalapeno jack cheese, and a sweet-smokey blend, kissed with garlic chili sauce and buttery steakhouse seasoning. It was topped with crispy maple-candied bacon and fried three pepper cheese, nestled in a toasted pretzel roll and served with sweet and smoky baked beans.

Second place winner, Hailey Temple, created a Cajun Surf & Turf Burger, described as a bold fusion of land and sea. It consisted of a  hand-crafted beef brisket burger blend, infused with Cajun spices, minced garlic and chopped onions for a rich, smoky depth of flavor. Topping  her masterpiece was a golden, pan-seared shrimp cake made with succulent shrimp, sweet red peppers, crisp green onions and a touch of Old Bay, fresh lemon and dill. It was served on a warm, toasted herbed focaccia roll, slathered with a zesty housemade remoulade sauce. It was served with a sweet pineapple slaw. 

Kylie Liddle competed with her Asian Harmony Burger, described as a meticulously crafted Certified Black Angus blend of chuck, brisket, and short rib, enhanced with the delicate umami of hoisin, fresh ginger, and garlic. This decadent burger was crowned with a crisp apple slaw and finished with a crunchy peanut-hoisin aioli, all nestled within a toasted brioche bun. It was served alongside elegantly prepared Vegetarian Japanese Udon Noodles. It was described as a true symphony of balance, refinement, and bold flavor.

In addition to winning the burger battle three years in a row. The Culinary Arts Students have won the following competitions:

 ProStart Virtual Gingerbread Competition-

2023 - Trynati Donato, of Stamford Central, first place  with her “Frozen Castle" and 

Angelina Randazzo, of Hunter Tannersville, second place with her “Wreck it Ralph House”

Trynati is currently as SUNY Cobleskill for Culinary Arts and Angelina is currently at the Culinary Institute of America for Baking and Pastry Arts

2024- Student Emily E.,  of Roxbury Central sook second place with their “UP House”

2025 - 1st  Place in the team competition with their “Farm House” included: Abby Merwin, Jefferson;

Hailey Temple, Stamford;;Lilly Hrycyna, Stamford; Kylie Liddle, Gilboa Conesville and 

Ayana Sarter, Roxbury  

ProStart Virtual Cake Decoration

2024 1st  Place - Tea Mattice, Roxbury with her “Piggy Spa Day Cake”, first place; Emily E., Roxbury with her “Panda Cake”, third place and Briana Beaupre- Gilboa with “Strawberry Dream Cake”, fourth place.

The 2025 competition has not happened yet, so Albano warns to stay tuned for results

2024 - ProStart Virtual Pumpkin Carving Competition

Paige VanValkenburgh, of Gilboa took third place in the 2024 competition with her “Chucky Pumpkin”

"Jody consistently guides ONC students to success, whether in the classroom or competitions like the recent burger battle and other past events, according to Tara Nolet, Human Resources Coordinator at NCOC. "Her dedication and her students' achievements speak volumes."

Congratulations NCOC culinary students.