Hilde Korsmo, a professional pastry chef and instructor at Bellingham Technical College, will be one of three competitors vying for the American Culinary Federation’s Western Region Pastry Chef of the Year award.

The competition will take place during the federation’s March 12 regional conference at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nev.

Korsmo will face Alison Murphy of Santa Clara, Calif., and Adalberto Diaz Labrada of Salt Lake City, Utah, as each prepares four portions of a warm dessert featuring pineapple. Judges will evaluate their cooking skills and professionalism, as well as the taste of their dishes.

The winner will be announced at a March 14 awards gala.

Korsmo began working at BTC in 2006 and received full tenure as an instructor in March 2011. She teaches a variety of courses on the theory and production of pastries.

Prior to joining the college’s staff, Korsmo owned Hilde’s Austrian Favorites in Bellingham. She has also worked as a catering director at the Silver Spur in Brookfield, Wis.

More information can be found online at www.acfchefs.org/events, or by calling 800-624-9458.