Treats for all!

Want an extra treat?

Really – how could you possibly even think of missing more than two dozen of Arizona’s top women chefs presenting a sweeping array of sweet and savory nibbles? You’ll enjoy three full hours of nibbling – plus there’s entertainment!

That’s right- entertainment. An extensive silent auction. Mini-workshops. Chocolate. Cheese. Olive oil (really, the oil, not Popeye’s gal). And for all you food bloggers – food photography.

Right now get over to Getting Our Just Desserts (see the Facebook page, OR you can go to blacktie-arizona//rsvp – with the code justdesserts11 and order tickets NOW!)

Stick around here and you’ll find out who’s making what (so you can make a beeline for that exhibit the minute you get through the doors at the Art Institute of Phoenix at 2 p.m. on Nov. 19. And don't forget - every penny of your ticket price is tax deductible, as you help support Careers in Culinary Arts in Arizona.

Whatever you think...

of Mark Bittman, he certainly posted an interesting letter this week....

see it here http://bittman.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/hey-chef-get-with-the-program/

Tough meet, but tasty finish

This year’s Robert Bland Culinary Salon, staged this past weekend at East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), drew a formidable set of competitors in a formidable judging.

This American Culinary Foundation event, presented by the ACF Chef’s Association of Arizona, is a high level contest with an exceptionally high bar to cross. Nonetheless, these six students – all of whom also were in C-CAP’s TopTen group during this past C-CAP competition, took these medals:

Tiffanny Miller - Flagstaff HS - Silver Medal

Alyssa Falshaw - Flagstaff HS - Bronze Medal

Shoshannah Wright - Payson HS - Bronze

Christopher Andrade - Valley Vista HS - Bronze

Emery Van Gilder - Catalina Magner HS - Bronze

Royce Schlittenhart - Canyon del Oro HS - Bronze

These two students also went home with medals:

Jessie Beekman - Flagstaff - Silver

Kylie Radford - Flagstaff - Bronze

We’ll expect to see all eight students through this year’s practices and finals next spring!

Yes, but the important thing is....

WHAT’S FOR DESSERT?

Show-offs.

Just a bunch of show-offs, that’s what they are.

Put a gaggle of chefs together and be prepared.

You’d think someone might be judging and handing out prizes.

Instead, it’s Getting Our Just Desserts, 2011, a premier showcase for more than two dozen of Arizona’s top women chefs.

Set for November 19, from 2 until 5 p.m. at the Art Institute of Phoenix, Getting Our Just Desserts benefits Arizona C-CAP’s scholarship funds.

Lucky ticket holders will have a chance to sample both sweet and savory bites, participate in special tasting intros, and view a special exhibit of food vs. art presented by senior students at AIP.

A full listing of participating chefs appears below; WATCH THIS SPACE for news on what specialties to expect – and more.

Turns out it takes a tough cookie to make it in a profession still dominated by men. These women share candid opinions about culinary careers and advice for young women and students preparing for the profession (find out if there really is a “glass ceiling” in the kitchen – and how to deal with it!).

Getting Our Just Desserts has a Facebook page, OR you can go to blacktie-arizona//rsvp – with the code justdesserts11 and order tickets NOW!

(and here’s who’s currently set to be there)

Appearing for the first time will be

Amy Binkley, co-owner and vice president of Binkley’s Restaurant and Café Bink

Tammie Coe, chef and owner, Tammie Coe Cakes

Sherrye Chapin, chef and owner, Sherrye’s Kitchen

Maya Dailey, chef and owner, Maya’s Farm

Tracy Dempsey, pastry chef and owner, Tracy Demspey Originals

Hanna Gabrielsson, chef and owner, Beaver Choice

Chantal Hause, co-owner and vice president, Fabulous Food

Chrysa Roberstron, chef and owner, Rancho Pinot

Susan Kolman, chef and instructor, Estrella Mountain Community College

Jackie MacCannell, chef and instructor, Classic Cooking Academy

Peg McNerny, pastry chef, Talking Stick resort,

Samantha Roberts, chef, The Phoenician

Tasha Slatton, chef, The Phoenician, About Thyme Personal Chef Services

Samantha Sharrar, chef, Sanctuary

Returning this year to Getting Our Just Desserts are

Jo Ann Ayres, chef and instructor, The Art Institute of Phoenix

Charleen Badman, chef and owner, FnB

Sasha Levine, sous chef, FnB

Lisa Dahl, owner and sous chef, Cucina Rustica and Dahl & DiLuca Ristorante

Dezirea Elizondo, sous chef, POSH

Julie Fiedler, front of the house, POSH

Lucinda Flores, pastry chef, Mazatzal Hotel & Resort

Tricia Guerrero, director of culinary arts and chef, East Valley Institute of Technology

Renae Hannum, executive chef, Hilton Phoenix East/Mesa/Quorum Hotels

Therese Hills, pastry chef, Troon Country Club

Heidi Lee, chef and owner, Into the Soup

Francine Marz, chef and instructor, The Art Institute of Phoenix

Monica O’Brien, chef, Scottsdale Community College

Joan O’Connor, chef and owner, HoneyMoon Sweets

Country Velador, chef, Cowboy Ciao