Bacon Inspires Bold Bites at Fox Valley Cook-Off

At Fox Valley Technical College, bacon became more than just a classroom ingredient — it turned into the star of the show.

Held inside the state-of-the-art Jones Dairy Farm Culinary Theatre, the Fox Valley Tech’s Culinary Club’s most recent student competition turned up the sizzle with a savory challenge: craft a bite-sized appetizer featuring Jones Dairy Farm’s premium Dry Aged Cherrywood Smoked Bacon, the only foodservice bacon that’s qualified for the prestigious Master Chefs’ Institute Seal of Excellence. Seven inspired culinary students stepped up to the cutting board, ready to impress a panel of seasoned pros — and their hungry peers.

The Cooking Challenge

The rules were straightforward, but expectations were high. Each student had one pound of Jones Dry Aged Cherrywood Smoked Bacon Slab and the freedom to dream big. Their mission? Whip up 25 single-bite hors d’oeuvres to be judged on presentation, texture, flavor, originality, and, of course, bacon integration.

The Judges

This bacon battle called for serious culinary cred. Leading the judging panel from Jones Dairy Farm included Chairman & CEO Philip Jones, Corporate Chef (and Fox Valley alum) Kate Konen, and Market and Customer Engagement Manager Mariah Hadler. Rounding out the judging table were Chefs Corey Arndt and Marissa Riffle from Chartwells Higher Education.

Together, the five judges had the tough (and tasty) job of selecting the Best of Show, Second Place, and Third Place winners. Meanwhile, more than 25 fellow students cast their votes for the coveted Fan Favorite award.

The Winning Bites

Best in Show: South Asian Fusion Taco with Sri Lankan-Style Bacon by Chetanya “Ren” Shivakumar

The Sri Lankan-Style Braised Bacon wowed the judges with a bold fusion of smoky bacon and aromatic spices.

Second Place & Fan Favorite: BLT Crostini with Herbed Mayo and Arugula by Claudia Van Sistine

A fresh take on a classic, perfectly balanced with a crispy bacon bite and scent of fresh herbs.

Third Place: Bacon & Goat Cheese Phyllo Cups with Fig Jam by Laura Derrick

Sweet, savory, and flaky — these elegant little bites packed big bacon flavor.

Other crave-worthy student creations included:

• Bacon-Wrapped Rangoon Shrimp
• Bacon & Herb Scones
• Bacon-Wrapped Scones with Hot Honey Glaze
• Cherrywood Smoked Bacon Cornbread

Student and Faculty Reactions

“Creating an appetizer with Jones Dairy Farm Bacon was an exciting challenge. It’s such a quality and unique product that really elevated the flavors and inspired creativity in the dish.” — Ren Shivakumar, First Place Winner

“Working with Jones Dairy Farm Bacon was a fun and exciting experience. I enjoyed putting my own creativity into the appetizer.” — Claudia Van Sistine, Fan Favorite

“We were thrilled to welcome the Jones team in for judging the competition. Having the support of Philip and Jones Dairy Farm continues to have a positive impact on our students. This event was just another way to highlight the delicious things that can be made when culinary creativity and an excellent product come together.” — Chef Mike Balistrieri, Culinary Arts Department Chair

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Since 2004, Jones Dairy Farm has proudly awarded more than 50 scholarships to Fox Valley Technical College culinary students. The Jones Dairy Farm Culinary Theatre — Wisconsin’s first and one of the few in the U.S. — has become the school’s hub for hands-on learning, events and more.

Learn more about the Jones Commitment to the Culinary Community.