Island County’s Economic Development Council board of directors recently donated $500 to Skagit Valley College’s culinary arts program in recognition of the work by students from the college’s culinary arts program.

According to a press release, the council wished to support the program that trains future chefs and recognize the student chefs’ accomplishments at the 31st Annual Penn Cove MusselFest, a mussel and chowder competition held last month in Coupeville.

“Island County needs skilled culinary workers,” said Ron Nelson, executive director of the economic development council. “Whether it’s in our premier restaurants that provide tourists with award-winning dining experiences or caterers who make weddings and events memorable, professional chefs play a critical role in making our county a memorable destination. Our residents also get spoiled too.”

The economic development council also provided the culinary arts program with support at the competition by supplying students with 40 pounds of mussels, 50 pounds of peeled potatoes, 50 pounds of sliced onions and 50 pounds of carrots. The students combined these into a chowder that finished second place at the competition which more than 8,000 people attended.