The winter weather has returned just in time for the carving of the ice at the University of Akron.

The annual festival featured student and alumni ice sculptors sharpening their talents in celebration of the culinary arts with UA’s hospitality management program.

Kicking off the events was 2006 Winter Olympics gold medal ice sculptor Aaron Costic carving a 2,000-pound ice throne.

Chef Richard Alford, associate professor emeritus of hospitality management, says it takes hard work and dedication to create a piece of work out of an ice block.

"You have to think your way through it, because once you're drawing that picture and you put it on the ice, all of a sudden, it's different," said Alford.

Members of the university’s ice-carving team and Garde Manger club also had a chance to display their hard work and talent during an ice-carving competition where they turned ordinary ice blocks into detailed pieces of artwork.

Warming up inside the building, students involved in the hospitality management program also showed their creativity by demonstrating vegetable carving techniques.

Alford says he teaches his students more than just the art of carving.

"I want to grow people, good people. People who can think and who can share their knowledge."

The university’s ice-carving team has won four national competitions as they traveled across the country.

For students who would like to pursue a career in ice carving, Costic is offering a $1,000 scholarship for students which is given in the form of ice-carving tools.

Those interested in the scholarship can contact Aaron Costic at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .