Leonard Messina of Farmingdale is a member of SUNY Delhi's student culinary team that recently won the American Culinary Federation's New York State Championship.
The victory was the 11th time for Delhi to earn this title. Delhi beat four teams in a close competition, including the Culinary Institute of America.
The top three teams ranked within a one-point span, all earning gold medals. Delhi placed first, the CIA second and Monroe College third.
Schenectady Community College and the Monroe College B team each earned silver medals.
The menu included: seared red snapper with fruits de mere squid ink, gnocchi parisenne and a tomato saffron sauce; a salad of apples, beets and baby greens with truffle vinaigrette; the required classical dish of chicken écarlate; and a dessert of passion fruit mousse with pistachio financiers.
Delhi's state champions now advance to the ACF's Northeast Region Championship in Niagara Falls on April 29 where they will compete against other state winners.
