Nash Community College recently hosted the North Carolina Sweet Potato Harvest Tour Cooking Challenge, welcoming chefs, influencers and guests from across the nation to campus for a celebration of one of North Carolina’s signature crops.

The event brought together culinary professionals and industry influencers to showcase creative dishes featuring the state’s official vegetable – the sweet potato. NCC Culinary Arts students worked alongside visiting chefs, dieticians, nutritionists and influencers gaining valuable hands-on experience and insight into professional-level food preparation and presentation.

The challenge was led by Chef Frank Bookhardt, Culinary Arts Instructor at Nash Community College, who shared, “We are excited to be able to share our space with the NC SweetPotato Commission. This event provides a unique platform where our emerging culinary talent can collaborate with nationally recognized social media influencers, bridging traditional culinary education with modern digital engagement. We feel that this is a unique educational experience and a great way to highlight our commitment to one of our core values – Community.”

Organized in partnership with the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission, the event highlighted both the versatility and agricultural importance of sweet potatoes while connecting farm-to-table producers, culinary experts, and emerging student talent.

The event included collaborative cooking demonstrations, friendly competition among guest chefs, student participation (menu creation, plating and presentation), and the opportunity to network with food industry leaders.

For more information about Nash Community College’s Culinary Arts program, visit nashcc.edu.