Jun 28, 2023 | Community, News, OCCI News, Student Success
Coos Bay, OR – The Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) at Southwestern Oregon Community College is excited to be offering several lunch events featuring special menus throughout the summer.
These special lunch events help prepare students to make the transition to the culinary industry. Our student-run “restaurant” will offer something for everyone including gluten-free options. A fresh new menu will include appetizers, salads, pizza, and entrees. Lunch offerings are individually priced.
Reservation times are from 10:45 am with the last seating at 1:00 pm. No groups over eight people please.
Restaurant dates are as follows:
- Tuesday, July 11th
- Wednesday, July 12th
- Thursday, July 13th
- Tuesday, July 25th
- Wednesday, July 26th
- Thursday, July 27th
- Tuesday, August 1st
- Wednesday, August 2nd
- Thursday, August 3rd
OCCI Summer Lunch Menu 2023
Some menu items may be subject to change due to ingredient availability.
Contact us today to make a reservation: email shawn.warren@socc.edu or call 541-888-1540.
Thank you for supporting our students and helping us provide them real-world experience.
Jun 21, 2023 | Alumni, News, OCCI News, Student Success
Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) 2010 alum, Chef Reilly Meehan, recently competed at the Worldchefs Global Chefs Challenge Regional Semi-Final culinary competition in Santiago, Chile. In late May, Chef Meehan’s exceptional culinary skills and unwavering determination propelled him to victory, earning him a gold medal and coveted title of “Global Chef of the Americas.”
The Worldchefs Global Chefs Challenge is renowned for attracting top culinary talents from around the world who demonstrate their prowess in the kitchen and exhibit their remarkable adaptability under pressure. Chefs are tasked with creating culinary masterpieces that not only tantalize the taste buds but also display impeccable presentation for seamless service. Chef Meehan’s culinary creations exemplified these requirements, impressing the judges and securing his first-place finish.
Chef Meehan will now move on to compete in the Global Chefs Challenge Finals, which will take place in Singapore in October 2024. This opportunity allows him to further display his exceptional culinary talents on a global platform, representing both OCCI and the United States with pride.
“We are immensely proud of Chef Meehan’s accomplishments,” said OCCI Executive Chef Randy Torres, the driving force behind OCCI’s award-winning culinary and baking programs. “He is an inspiration to all OCCI students, and his remarkable journey is a testament to the exceptional training, dedication and passion both our students and instructors bring every day in the kitchen.”
Southwestern Oregon Community College’s OCCI culinary program has a long-standing legacy of nurturing exceptional talent and supporting its alumni in international culinary competitions. In 2012, the institute proudly hosted the U.S. National Youth Team. This year, it hosted the U.S. National Culinary Team as they prepared for the highly anticipated World Culinary Olympics in Stuttgart, Germany, in February 2024.
For more information about the programs offered at OCCI, visit www.socc.edu/occi. Text or call 541-240-8227.
Jan 19, 2023 | Community, News, OCCI News
Coos Bay, OR – The Oregon Coast Culinary Institute’s (OCCI) Culinary Competition Team is offering a three-course take-home meal for two to share with your Valentine. Proceeds from the sale support the team’s travel to competitions around the country.
PRE-ORDER IS NECESSARY: You must pre-order by Friday, February 10, 2023. Pick up is at OCCI (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay) from 10 am to 1 pm on Tuesday, February 14.
This meal for two is prepared and ready to serve. Cost is $65 for the dinner; $80 if you’d like a bottle of wine included. On the menu: Caesar Salad, Focaccia, Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce & Spicy Sausage, Heart Shaped Cheesecake and four Chocolate Covered Strawberries. To pre-order, email lapatisserie@socc.edu or call 541-888-7309.
Looking for sweet treats only? OCCI’s La Patisserie is having a chocolate and sweets sale as well. Pre-order is not necessary. Just come to OCCI between 10 am and 1 pm on Tuesday, February 14 and pick out your favorites.
Items include:
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries (GF): $5 each, $15 for six
- Selection of Chocolates (GF): $7 box of four, $18 box of 12
- Red Velvet Cupcakes: $18 for four
- 6-Pack Macarons (GF): $8
- Heart-Shaped Cheesecake (GF available): $12
- 8” Flourless Chocolate Torte (GF): $15
- 6-Pack Sugar Cookies: $12
Questions? Email lapatisserie@socc.edu or call 541-888-7309. Thank you for supporting our students in this fundraising event.
Jan 10, 2023 | Community, Curry Campus, Foundation, News, OCCI News
Are you planning to attend Southwestern Oregon Community College in the 2023-24 academic year? If so, you are encouraged to apply for scholarships!
Thanks to generous donors, the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation awards nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually to students attending Southwestern. Any student planning to attend college during the 2023-24 academic year is encouraged to apply. This includes both full-time and part-time students.
Applications are available annually January 1 – March 1. For all the details and to apply, visit www.socc.edu/scholarships.
- One application will automatically apply students to all the scholarships to which they qualify.
- Early bird incentive! Applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on February 1 are eligible to qualify for an additional $1,000 scholarship.
- All applications are DUE BY 11:59 P.M. on MARCH 1, 2023. No exceptions.
Questions about Southwestern Foundation scholarships? Contact foundation@socc.edu or call 541-888-7209.
Dec 14, 2022 | News, OCCI News
Southwestern Oregon Community College and the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) will host Uncorking Opportunity! on Friday, Jan. 20. The event is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
This is Southwestern Foundation’s annual scholarship fundraiser. It features and evening of excellent hors d’oeurves and creations by OCCI chefs and student chefs, paired with wines from vineyards throughout the Rogue, Umpqua and Willamette Valleys.
Tickets are $95 per person. Thanks to sponsor support, 100 percent of ticket proceeds go to scholarships for students at the culinary institute and students pursuing degrees and training at the college’s Coos and Curry campuses.
This year’s sponsors include: 7 Devils Brewery, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Banner Bank, Coos Bay Vision Center, DB Western, Morrison Gederos Construction, North Bend Medical Centers and the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission. Participating wineries include Abacela, Brandborg, Elk Cove, King’s Estate, Kriselle Cellars, Meadows Estate and Willamette Vineyards.
To purchase and reserve tickets, please go to www.socc.edu/give. For more information, please contact the Foundation at (541) 888-7209 or (541)-888-7211 or email foundation@socc.edu.
Since 1962, the Southwestern Foundation has supported the College to improve people’s lives – socially, culturally, economically and educationally – through friend-raising and fundraising. The College serves Curry, Coos and Western Douglas counties resident’s needs for transfer degrees, high-skill job training and community classes.
Oct 10, 2022 | News, OCCI News
On Monday, October 17, 2022, the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Team USA participants will visit the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) to practice for an upcoming international competition. Community members are invited to a special luncheon for 100 people as part of their training.
ACF Team USA Luncheon Logistics:
- Date/Time: Monday, Oct. 17 from Noon – 1:45 p.m.
- Cost: $35
- Location: OCCI at Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC). 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
- Menu: Three-course meal consisting of fish, port and a dessert; no additional details. No substitutions or special requests.
- RSVP: Reservations required. Email occi@socc.edu or call 541-888-7309.
- Seating available every 15 minutes from noon – 1:45 p.m.
- Limited to 100 RSVPs. First-come, first-served.
- No parties larger than six.
The ACF Team USA is made of professional chefs from around the country. They will work with OCCI faculty and students during their visit. OCCI Executive Director Randy Torres serves as Team USA’s Assistant Manager and OCCI alum Elena Smith is an apprentice on the team.
“The ACF Team sets the standard of excellence in the culinary industry. It’s inspiring for our students to see them in action and work alongside them,” said Chef Randy Torres. “We are fortunate for the exposure this visit provides our students and local community.”
ACF Team USA is currently preparing for the for the Culinary World Cup 2022 in Luxembourg, taking place this November. The event is one of the largest and most important competitions in the world with more than 30 teams from across the globe. Local OCCI students will assist at the event. Part of the competition requires the chefs to prepare a three-course meal for 100 people.
To learn more about OCCI and the culinary program offered through Southwestern Oregon Community College visit: www.socc.edu/occi.
Tickets are $95 per person. Thanks to sponsor support, 100 percent of ticket proceeds go to scholarships for students at the culinary institute and students pursuing degrees and training at the college’s Coos and Curry campuses.
