PCC Hosts Chef's Association Meeting, Sept. 14

September 11, 2009

PCC and the Center for Training and Development will be hosting the September meeting of the Chef's Association of Southern Arizona on Sept. 14 at the Desert Vista Campus.

As annual host for the September meeting, Pima and CTD invite students and instructors from local high school culinary programs to attend and learn more about the College's Culinary Arts offerings. Following the general meeting, 11 local chefs will do demonstrations from 3:30-5 p.m., for the high school students. Among the topics covered in the demonstrations will be cutting and portioning, called fabrication. The general meeting is 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Chefs doing demonstrations are:

Odell Baskerville, current CASA President, Pima adjunct instructor and former Arizona Inn executive chef: Fish cookery
Steve Tidwell, associate member affiliated with Blessing Seafood: Fish fabrication and preparation
Curtis Peralta, executive chef, La Paloma Country Club: Fish cookery
Ramon Delgado, executive chef, Desert Diamond Casino: Poultry fabrication
Bill Hewitt, garde manger chef, Skyline Country Club: Vegetable and fruit carving
Tom Gerlak, owner, IceT Ice Art: Ice carving
Ryan Clark, sous chef, The Dish Bistro-Bar: Pasties; Tarts; Sorbet
Ralph Chavez, executive chef, La Posada retirement community Green Valley: Seafood and Ceviche
Aris Cabrera, executive chef, Doubletree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park: To be announced
Jason Jonilonis, executive chef, Casino del Sol: TBA
Rohan Wirasinha, pastry chef, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort & Spa: Pastries

The Chef's Association of Southern Arizona is a chapter of the American Culinary Federation, an organization for professional chefs around the country. Each month, the chapter holds its meeting at a different Tucson restaurant or hotel. Pima and CTD instructor Elizabeth Mikesell is current chapter vice-president. She, Pima culinary arts faculty member Barry Infuso and CTD program coordinator Edward Doran all are past presidents of the chapter.

Desert Vista Campus is at 5901 S. Calle Santa Cruz.

CONTACT:
A. Rachelle Howell, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing
(520) 206-4850