The Culinary Education Center of Monmouth County (CEC), in Asbury Park, is a student-centered culinary program open to all county high school students in their junior and senior years.
The CEC is a collaborative effort between Brookdale Community College and the Monmouth County Vocational School District.
Long Branch resident Michael Sirianni is principal of the CEC.
Each student attending the school receives high school credits and at the same time can earn up to 19 college credits, according to a press release from the CEC.
The CEC College Division offers an associate of science in applied science in culinary arts degree.
Two certificate programs are also offered, one in pastry art and the other in culinary arts.
The CEC facility offers state-of-the-art kitchens, lecture rooms, a computer lab and distance learning capability.
Students at the school also participate in local, state and national food competitions, according to Sirianni.
At the CEC, students staff two dining rooms, the Mandolin Dining Room and the Windows of the Culinary Education Center Dining Room.
The facility is open to the public for lunch and dinner, and breakfast can be served for private parties arranged in advance
Students also operate a retail bakery that sells cakes, pastries, breads and seasonal confectionery desserts.
For more information on the program, call (732) 988-3299, ext. 17.
OCEAN TOWNSHIP — According to police, a 16-year-old Interlaken Borough youth was attacked and robbed last week.
On Dec. 1 at approximately 9:15 p.m., the youth reported that he had been robbed of a small amount of cash.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Wickapecko Drive and Grasmere Avenue in the Wanamassa section of the township.
The victim reported being approached by three black males approximately 25 to 35 years old. Two subjects were reportedly wearing black hooded sweatshirts and the third was wearing a gray or light-colored thermal top.
According to the victim, the three assailants engaged him in a conversation before demanding he turn over all his cash to them.
The victim complied and was then pushed to the ground before the three suspects fled on mountain-style bicycles.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the department at (732) 531-1800.

