The Capital District Educational Opportunity Center’s (CDEOC) Culinary Arts program was invited to participate in the annual Friends of SUNY Legislative Reception held at the Legislative Office Building in Albany on March 4, 2024. Hosted by SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees, this event gathers legislators from across the state to discuss SUNY’s commitment to educational excellence and equity, and the vital importance of SUNY’s funding.
CDEOC Chefs Taffiny Lijikovic-Elrod and Christopher Heath accompanied three talented Culinary Arts students to the reception, where they prepared and served an outstanding tasting menu that included mini wild mushroom birria, shrimp nigiri, and chocolate and red berry entremets. In addition to instructors and students from the CDEOC, which is a division of Hudson Valley Community College, the reception brought together students, faculty, and leadership from other SUNY-funded Culinary Arts programs, including SUNY Schenectady, SUNY Adirondack, and SUNY Delhi.
The experience afforded students an opportunity to meet with Chancellor King and other state leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, as well as spend time with their culinary peers from institutions across the state and savor their culinary menu offerings.
