Culinary Exchange Brings French Students To Cary

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Story and photo by Barbara Shepherd of The Sister Cities Association

Cary, NC – Where do culinary students from Le Touquet, France come to work and study their craft?  If you answered “Cary and the Triangle,” you would be right.  Yes, culinary students from France, right here in Cary! You can sample their work on April 26 at Page-Walker in Cary.

The Exchange Program

Ten students from the Lycée d’État Hôtelier du Touquet in Cary’s sister city of Le Touquet, France, are spending the month of April sharpening their culinary skills at leading restaurants such as Herons in The Umstead.  The visit is part of a long-standing Cary Sister Cities exchange program between Wake Tech Culinary Arts’ program and the Le Touquet culinary school.  Every year, students from the Wake Tech program travel to France in March while a group of French students come to the Cary area in April.

Jeff Hadley, department head for the Wake Tech Culinary Arts department has led the trips to France for a number of years.

“The French exchange program has so many benefits for our students from a professional and cultural perspective. Even though a different language is spoken there, the students learn our industry has a universal language all its own.”

Students from both countries also gain a greater awareness of how our two cultures view food and dining.

Public Sampling

This year, for the first time, the public will have a chance to meet these budding culinary stars at a Culinary Exchange Networking Reception on April 26 from 5:30 – 7:30 at the Page Walker Art and History Center, sponsored by Sister Cities Association of Cary, the Cary Chamber of Commerce and the Heart of Cary.

Guests can sample a variety of French wines from TotalWine and hors d’ouevres provided by local Cary restaurants including The Matthews House, Klaras and Unwine’d Wine Bar.  The event is free for Sister Cities and Cary Chamber members and $5.00 for everyone else.

Event Details

  • April 26, 2012   5:30 – 7:30
  • Page Walker Arts and History Center, 199 Ambassador Loop, Downtown Cary
  • Space is limited, and tickets are required.
  • Cost: Free for Chamber members and Sister Cities members. General Public: $5.00
  • Get Tickets.

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Community coverage on CaryCitizen is sponsored in part by Studio 180 Salon in Downtown Cary.