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SUNY Delhi Students Win National Culinary Championship-Again

Delhi, NY (07/02/2026) — SUNY Delhi's hot food culinary competition team has once again earned the title of American Culinary Federation (ACF) Student Team of the Year, successfully defending the national championship it captured in 2025.

Competing against the nation's top culinary programs at the ACF National Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Team Delhi delivered an exceptional performance, earning the competition's only gold medal. Judges praised the team's technical precision, refined presentation, and polished tableside service, with one judge calling the salad course a favorite of the competition. The team was also complimented on its organization and cleanliness in the kitchen.

The championship team included Kevin Torcios-Sorto (captain), Kevin Christy, Nicholas McGovern, Lauren Stevens, and Julian Grant. The students were coached by SUNY Delhi culinary instructors Chef Victor Sommo and Chef Sean Pehrsson.

The championship menu celebrated seasonal ingredients, featuring Hudson Valley steelhead trout, Pennsylvania lamb, fresh produce, and an intricate dessert that combined pistachio, tropical fruit, chocolate, and fresh berries. The team's elegant presentation included finishing sauces and slicing fresh black truffles tableside.

"Winning the championship feels unreal," said team captain Kevin Torcios-Sorto. "We practiced so much that we knew how to recover when things didn't go according to plan - that's part of competing. Looking back, all the early mornings, long days, and hard work were completely worth it. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to experience this."

SUNY Delhi also celebrates the success of Jahnasia Sutton, who earned a bronze medal for her individual performance in the Student Pastry Chef of the Year competition. Her dessert, a tropical Charlotte Russe served with a berry blossom mocktail, demonstrated the technical skill and creativity required at the national level.

"The achievements reflect hundreds of hours of preparation and our students' commitment of our students to listening, learning, and showing up day after day," said Chef Sommo. "We challenged our students to demonstrate the skills and techniques expected at the national level while blending classical foundations with modern culinary approaches. They executed that vision beautifully."

"Success at this level doesn't happen by chance," Chef Pehrsson added. "We're a small school in a rural community doing huge things on the national stage. It speaks to the skill, talent, and determination of our students, as well as the strength of SUNY Delhi's culinary program. We push our students to be the best they can be, and we couldn't be more proud that their hard work paid off."

"Congratulations to our outstanding students and faculty on this remarkable achievement," said Dr. Mary Bonderoff, president of SUNY Delhi. "This accomplishment reflects the exceptional talent of our students and the dedication of the faculty who challenge and support them every day. Our culinary programs continue to raise the standard for excellence and showcase the quality of a SUNY Delhi education."

The American Culinary Federation Student Team of the Year competition is among the nation's premier collegiate culinary competitions. Teams are evaluated on food quality, presentation, organization, sanitation, teamwork, timing, and technical execution under the demanding conditions of a live competition.

SUNY Delhi has built one of the country's most accomplished collegiate culinary competition programs. Over the past decade, Delhi students have earned numerous state, regional, and national honors through the American Culinary Federation, reinforcing the college's reputation as a leader in hands-on culinary education. Graduates leave SUNY Delhi prepared for successful careers in restaurants, hotels, resorts, country clubs, and other sectors of the hospitality industry.

Learn more at www.delhi.edu.

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SUNY Delhi's culinary hot food competition team poses with trophies in front of a backdrop, dressed in formal wear.

SUNY Delhi's culinary championship team (left to right): Chef Victor Sommo, Kevin Torcios-Sorto, Jahnasia Sutton, Kevin Christy, Nicholas McGovern, Julian Grant, Lauren Stevens, and Chef Sean Pehrsson.

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