Star Career Academy Professional Baking program students from the Syosset, Long Island campus will compete in a bake off competition during an upcoming Open House for prospective students on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 9 am to 1 pm.

Students interested in attending Star Career Academy in Syosset will have the chance to watch the competition while also learning about the programs offered at Star and talking with faculty and other students about their experience.

The Bake Off, sponsored by the New York Baker's Association, will pit six teams of two students each in competitions that will result in scholarship awards to be used toward their Star tuition.

Students will have two-and-a-half hours to produce two dozen of their very best cookies and one quick bread or cake loaf. Teams are chosen based on recipes and photos submitted in advance of the event.

"We believe a competition like this gives our students a taste of the real world and the pressure-filled environment of a working kitchen," says Chef Victor McNulty, director of culinary and hospitality programs at Star Career Academy. "We are especially excited that prospective students considering an education at Star Career Academy will have a chance to watch some of our very best prepare great desserts for the competition - and they'll get to taste them too if they are here during judging."

A panel of judges will base scoring on taste, presentation, professionalism and originality but students must keep an eye on timing and amount completed, or face a points penalty.

The Open House will also take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and include ongoing school tours, focusing on all academic programs. Demonstrations will be taking place throughout the school. For example, in one of the kitchens there will be an ongoing cooking demo using knife skills and preparing sushi and different vegetable cuts; in the dialysis classroom, a demonstration of the dialysis machines will take place. Admissions representatives will be available to discuss enrollment and financial aid staff will be on hand to answer questions as well.