Adam Monette of St. Albans, Vermont, was named the winner of the Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship on December 20, 2021.
Monette, a culinary instructor at Northwest Career and Technical Center (NCTC), competed alongside 12 bakers from across the country to win $25,000 and a feature in Food Network Magazine. He is a graduate of Vermont Tech’s Career and Technical Teacher Education Program.
In the two-hour season finale, Monette participated in two rounds of competition. In the preliminary “Preheat” round, he was challenged to create a dessert charcuterie board. In the “Main Heat” final, the top three contestants were asked to create holiday party-themed cakes. To clinch the win, Monette created a “Gift Wrapping Party”-style cake filled with layers of chocolate and peanut butter icing that incorporated real holiday lights.
At NCTC, Monette teaches skills in food service, baking and pastry, and restaurant management in the center’s culinary arts program.
“He has so much knowledge to impart to his students and those around him. He holds himself to incredibly high standards and expects the same from his students,” said Leeann Wright, NCTC’s director.
The Career & Technical Teacher Education Program (CTTEP) at Vermont Tech is part of the process for industry and business professionals to earn a Vermont State teaching license and to learn the art of teaching high school students in one of Vermont’s 17 career and technical centers. The program is designed to help new technical educators, through coursework and coaching, to become experts not only in their professional field of training, but as individuals sharing their skills by teaching.
Learn more about the Career & Technical Teacher Education Program.
Read more about Monette’s win in the St. Alban’s Messenger.