The Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) Baking and Pastry Arts Club-Disaster Relief Effort at the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach recently helped those impacted by flooding in Louisiana. 

Due to the protocol established in response to COVID-19, it was required that all food be individually packaged prior to shipment. To accommodate the requirement, the students who have been raising money for years decided to give back by purchasing $5,000 in food from the Darlington Cookie Company.  The local American Culinary Federation (ACF) Chapter also recognized the need and chose to split the cost of manufacturing and packaging 30,000 cookies for disaster relief.  ACF Board Members, Daniel Henn (right) and Dawn Brantley (left) recently presented a $2,500 check to Neyle Wilson, President and CEO of the HGTC Foundation. 

“Our baking and pastry arts students are extremely grateful for the support from the ACF,” said Chef Geoff Blount, HGTC Baking and Pastry Arts Instructor.  “We appreciate the monetary donation to help the Baking and Pastry Arts Club Disaster Relief Effort providing flood relief in parts of Louisiana.”

The American Culinary Federation is an organization for professional cooks and chefs in the area.  Several HGTC Culinary Arts students are also involved in the local chapter. 

“We would have loved nothing more than to be able to bake.  But with the situation being what it is right now, we don’t have the capabilities to individually package 30,000 cookies.  This was a unique opportunity to give back to that community and especially those who assisted us during the flooding following Hurricane Florence,” continued Chef Blount.

To find out more about HGTC programs or the HGTC International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach, visit the HGTC website.