Saucon Valley graduate Thomas Traupman earned a bronze medal in a culinary arts competition in Philadelphia March 8.
A Saucon Valley High School graduate has again earned accolades for his kitchen skills.
Last fall Thomas “Tommy” Traupman, a Lower Saucon Township resident who graduated from SVHS in 2018, was honored to be selected to compete in an international culinary contest in Ningbo, China.
Traupman studies culinary arts at Northampton Community College (NCC) in Bethlehem Township, and on Thursday the school announced in a news release that he’s again made them proud.
“When I found out about this competition, I knew Thomas would be a great fit,” said Francine Marz, director of NCC’s culinary program, in the news release.
Marz explained that she selected him to represent the college in the Mid-Atlantic Junior Chaine Competition that was held March 8 at the Restaurant School in Philadelphia because of his culinary skillset and experience.
Along with fellow culinary student Matthew Kirby, Traupman was awarded a bronze medal in the International Young Chefs Association Challenge in which he competed in October in China. Team NCC was also the only American team to compete in the event.
The MAJCC is a juried contest in which each competitor receives a mystery box and must then compose a menu and prepare an appetizer, main course and dessert for four people.
Traupman ultimately took home a bronze medal for his menu.
“This was another competition he could add to his resume,” Marz said. “He will be able to do more like this, and he was able to network with people from all over Mid-Atlantic region.”
After receiving his associate’s degree, Traupman plans to attend Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I., to pursue a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, the release said.
To learn more about the culinary arts program at Northampton Community College, click here.
