MUSKEGON, Mich. – Student chefs at Baker College’s Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM) in Muskegon have created a winter wonderland of chocolate sculptures that includes replicas of some of the historic and unique buildings in downtown Muskegon.
The display is open to the public today through Friday, Dec. 23, and Thursday-Friday, Dec. 29-30, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at the CIM, 336 W. Clay Ave., Muskegon, 49440.
This year’s theme is “Christmas in Muskegon.” The sculptures were crafted by students and instructors. Students who created the building sculptures were in the Advanced Confections III course, the last class students are required to complete before earning an associate degree in baking and pastry arts. The architecturally challenging assignment required research to ensure an accurate reproduction.
Chocolate replicas of historic and unique buildings in Muskegon and other chocolate sculptures are on display for the public at Baker College’s Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM) in Muskegon through Friday, Dec. 30.
Typically the chocolate used for sculptures at the CIM is melted and reused. However, that won’t happen for the building replicas, as the CIM is donating them to the owners of each building.
“These final projects yielded amazingly authentic reproductions of some of our city’s most beloved buildings,” said Bruce Konowalow, CCE, CIM Muskegon dean of culinary arts. “It’s like a Christmas village from times gone by because many of the buildings have been here for 100 years or more.
“Each student delved deep to faithfully reproduce their chosen building and executed the required math to accurately scale their model. The students’ hard work and dedication truly bode well for their prospects in the industry.”
Chocolate replicas of historic and unique buildings in Muskegon and other chocolate sculptures are on display for the public at Baker College’s Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM) in Muskegon through Friday, Dec. 30.
The building sculptures and students who created them are:
- Hume House – Miranda Jo Whitney, of Muskegon.
- Muskegon Museum of Art – Courtney Barnes, of Saginaw.
- Union Depot – Casey Bockhorn, of Muskegon.
- Culinary Institute of Michigan – Rachel Teeple, of Hudsonville.
- The Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts – Teana Smith, of Clinton Township.
- Hackley Public Library – Kelsey Devries, of Muskegon.
Each building sculpture required approximately 10 pounds of recycled chocolate to create everything from walls and roofs to windows and porches. Special touches like window frames, facade details and holiday decorations required extra patience and expertise.
Chocolate replicas of historic and unique buildings in Muskegon and other chocolate sculptures are on display for the public at Baker College’s Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM) in Muskegon through Friday, Dec. 30.
Chef Jamie Leroux, CIM Muskegon program director, said she believes the public will appreciate the amount of work that went into this display.
“Most of the students worked two to three weeks on their creations to complete the models to their own high standards,” Leroux said. “It’s amazing how authentic the chocolate sculptures look in comparison with the actual buildings.”
For more information about the CIM Muskegon holiday display, contact Carrie Thomas at 231.777.6644 or [email protected].
For information about programs at the Culinary Institute of Michigan, contact Kathy Jacobson in the admissions office at [email protected] or 231.777.5200, or visit www.baker.edu.
Baker College is a private nonprofit college based in Michigan. Founded in 1911, Baker College grants doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees, as well as certificates in diverse academic fields including applied technology, business, education, engineering, health science, information technology and social science. Baker College has on-ground campuses throughout Michigan and offers online programs that can be completed 100 percent online without ever visiting a campus. In 2016, the Online Learning Consortium recognized Baker College Online with the OLC Quality Scorecard Exemplary Endorsement, the highest ranking for online higher education programs. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.