There was a fun event last week produced by the Walters State Culinary Arts Department called “New York Street Fair.” I went after work to check it out and found it to be excellent! Here is what I saw there.

The picture above was a cute photo stop/ selfie station by the front door. Lots of fun little props to use for attendees. You start having fun at the front door.

First of all, there are more than 100 students in the Culinary Arts Program who contributed to the New York Street Fair last week. The event was a project based learning assignment where students planned menus, cost break downs of the meals, presentation, and ‘restaurant  facades,’ including cardboard food trucks on the back patio.

Chef Joe Cairns, Chef Instructor for the Rel Maples Institute.  I believe he said that he was from Louisiana so he has a great background in good cuisine, as you can imagine.

I don’t eat wheat or bread very often so I took it easy on the offerings. Here is a sample of a cornbread salad. Pretty good!

Fried chicken and waffles—but the chicken is inside the waffle. There were several kinds of syrups for dipping as well. I wanted one so badly!

Students can earn a two year degree in either hot foods or baking/pastry items. These pretzels looked great!

My friend Sheley would have been in heaven shopping in the bakery section.

There was a nice Thai restaurant with spring rolls and soup. Two thumbs up!

Luigi’s Italian Restaurant was very busy with pizza. Especially the Margherita pizza.

Free samples!

Finally, pie on a stick! I should have asked the technique so I could try it for Thanksgiving.

The New York Street Fair was a fun happening for those seeking lunch or looking for something right after work, as I did that day. You pay $15 (lunch or supper) and get 15 tickets. I couldn’t use all mine and gave them to a family as I left. So you will have plenty to eat if you go next time. I didn’t even use 7 tickets.

The Walters State Community College Culinary Arts program is a jewel in the community. It has been training cooks, chefs, and restaurant managers for over 10 years.  was accredited by the American Culinary Federation in 2003, the first school in Tennessee to do so.

There are some big events coming up next month. Namely the Mountain Rose Thanksgiving Bakery on Tuesday, November 22 from 8:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m. You are sure to see my friend Sheley and others there!

It is certainly a tasty way to get out and about in Sevierville.