Dole Food Co. and culinary school host banana bread bake-off

Dole Food Co. Inc., the global fresh fruit and vegetable provider with U.S. headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., and Community Culinary School of Charlotte are hosting a bake-off and free public taste test Feb. 21-22 to determine Charlotte’s best banana bread.

CCSC provides culinary training to those impacted by homelessness, poverty, abuse and other issues, and to veterans and others transitioning into civilian life, to encourage self-sufficiency through stable employment in foodservice, according to a news release. CCSC’s current class, it’s 73rd since its founding in 1997, numbers 23 students. Under the leadership of CCSC Executive Director Ron Ahlert, known to students as “Chef Ron,” CCSC counts 1,087 graduates.

According to bake-off rules, local residents can sample competing banana bread recipes — one developed by banana-leader Dole and a second created by CCSC students — before casting their vote for their favorite at the CCSC Café.

The winning recipe will be crowned “Charlotte’s Best Banana Bread” and distributed to media and other groups on National Banana Bread Day Feb. 23 and made available for sale at the Café on the holiday and beyond, according to the release.

The competition is part of a larger collaboration between the two organizations to develop healthy, produce-forward cooking and lifestyle habits and provide the training to allow more local residents to gain access to Charlotte’s growing culinary and foodservice sector, the release said.

“We’re delighted to celebrate National Banana Day with the world’s most famous banana provider,” Anne Lambert, CCSC director of development, said in the release. “Support from partners like Dole helps us grow CCSC’s workforce training program as a creative solution to the interwoven problems of unemployment, hunger and homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide the education, experience and other resources necessary to provide food service industry job security to Charlotteans facing employment barriers.”

Voters visiting the CCSC Café Feb. 21-22 will have the opportunity to blind taste and cast their ballot for their favorite — either Dole’s Loaded Banana Bread, made with Dole bananas, eggs, almond milk yogurt and crushed pecans; or the student-created CCSC Class No. 73 Banana Bread featuring Dole bananas, avocado oil, maple syrup and sweet potato, the official vegetable of the state of North Carolina. The CCSC Café is at 9315 Monroe Road, Unit D, in Charlotte, and is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for breakfast and lunch.

“Dole is honored to help support the next generation of local bakers, cooks and chefs — and remind these future culinary stars that the best recipes can be delicious and healthy at the same time,” Melanie Marcus, a registered dietitian and Dole’s nutrition and health communications manager, said in the release. “The enthusiasm, creativity and passion displayed by these students makes all of us at Dole very excited about the future of Charlotte’s restaurant and food service scene. Chef Ron and his team at CCSC are a great asset to the community.”