Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) Culinary Arts instructors Chef Tony Poulin and Chef Bo 
Byrne, alongside Culinary Arts students Emma Hajdasz and Joanna Rivera, recently took center stage in a friendly but fierce culinary competition featuring 11 chefs from restaurants across southern Maine.
The team competed for bragging rights and the title of 2025 Lobster Chef of the Year, presenting an expertly crafted dish: Madagascar Vanilla Butter-Poached Lobster on a Potato and Parsnip Croquette with Sweet Corn Beurre Monté and Peppery Micro Slaw.
When the votes were tallied, SMCC emerged as the People’s Choice Champion, earning top honors from event attendees and showcasing the skill, creativity, and collaboration that define the College’s Culinary Arts program.
SMCC congratulates Chef Thomas Barthelmes of Finestkind in Saco, who received the Judges’ Choice Champion award. The College was proud to compete alongside such a talented group of chefs and to highlight the exceptional hands-on learning experiences available to SMCC students.