Aramark IN2WORK Program Marks America's 250th with ACES "Rematch" Bake-Off in Florida

At two Florida correctional facilities this month, participants in Aramark's IN2WORK culinary workforce training program stepped into a competition kitchen to prove not only what they've learned but also what they're capable of. 

The ACES "Rematch" Bake-Off, held July 7, 2026, brought together current IN2WORK (I2W) students and program graduates at Jefferson Correctional Institution and Madison Correctional Institution for a Red, White & Blue–themed competition timed to America's 250th birthday. Participants presented original baked creations judged on technical execution, creativity, flavor, presentation, and food safety standards.

The Bake-Off was one piece of a larger initiative: Aramark's America's 250th Birthday Café Takeover, a program developed to help Aramark locations across the country create themed dining experiences around the historic milestone. The effort gave teams access to scalable menus that they could adapt to their own operational needs.

“It is important to recognize that our I2W students are part of the larger Aramark community who are welcome to participate in activities that we share,” said Nicole McVaugh, Director of IN2WORK for Aramark Correctional Services. “We are dedicated to making a difference where we can, reinforcing the worth of each person, and providing paths to workforce success as our students navigate life post-incarceration.”

The Competition

I2W competitors brought the America 250 theme to life through their baked creations, with judges evaluating each entry on flavor profile, visual presentation, and strict adherence to food safety practices, skills that translate directly to employment in the food service industry. 

Jefferson CI presented a patriotic cake that immediately captured everyone's attention, with their presenter delivering an accompanying speech describing the cake "exploding like the Fourth of July." The cake received high marks for creativity.

Madison CI responded in fashion—securing first place for the second consecutive time, earning top scores in both presentation and taste—with a cake that actually exploded from culinary rockets, causing creative damage to one side and drawing laughs from everyone in the room.

Why IN2WORK Matters

IN2WORK is Aramark's educational program operating inside correctional facilities, designed to equip incarcerated individuals with real, employable food service, warehousing and supply chain, and culinary skills. Through hands-on instruction grounded in industry standards, the program builds technical capability alongside the discipline, teamwork, and confidence that employers look for, including nationally recognized industry certifications. 

The ACES competition series is a cornerstone of that model, putting training to the test in a live, high-stakes environment that mirrors the demands of a professional kitchen. For IN2WORK participants, the day was about more than a holiday theme. It was a chance to demonstrate in a real competitive setting that the skills they've built are ready to carry forward.