Next year’s competitors go off to summer camp

This year, scholarships for summer culinary programs became available to all ten of the top junior level competitors in C-CAP Arizona. All of the top ten ranked juniors also received a professional knife kit valued at $100.

Here’s the rundown on who’s attending which program:

Dulce Alaman of Metro Tech High School, $250 to attend Le Cordon Bleu Summer Camp. Christopher Anrade of Valley Vista High School has $690, the Career Discovery Award from The Culinary Institute of America.

Karen Kreiger of Gilbert High School/EVIT and Tiffany Miller of Flagstaff High School will attend Johnson & Wales Institute Summer Discovery Program with the help of a $235 scholarship.

Jeremy Ballester, Casa Grande High School, Alyssa Falshaw, Flagstaff High School, Royce Schlittenhart, Canyon del Oro High School, Emery VanGilder, Catalina Magnet High School and Shoshanah Wright of Payson High School, each received a $275 scholarship for Studio 101 at The Art Institute of Phoenix.

Summer camp should give these students a big start on next year's C-CAP competition - so we're going to keep track of how they're doing over the course of the next school year.

Stay tuned!

(more) Passion in the kitchen

It’s not always easy to express in words those things that are the most important to us. It can be especially difficult when we’re anxious about the outcome of a critical interview.

Add to this the fact that some people are naturally more dispassionate and unreadable to others and that you may be tired from the morning’s competition. It’s no surprise you might appear to be less than enthusiastic .

Here are a few tips to help you put into words and actions why working in the culinary and hospitality field is so very vital to you.

You’re taking the first step, by preparing yourself and practicing.

When you finally get to your interview, you’ll be ready to stay in the present, convey a positive attitude – and sit up straight. (No kidding – it’s really important to physically demonstrate that you’re actively involved in this interview.)

Use gestures as you speak to underline the impact of your words.

Tell stories that inspire you and help to illustrate the point you want to make.

Smile as you speak and look directly at the people with whom you’re speaking. Sometimes just smiling helps you feel more energetic and positive. That will help convey the joy and excitement you feel about your work.

Keep the volume of your voice up, and vary the pace and pitch of your voice. This will keep you from falling into a monotone and remind you of the importance of what you’re saying.

Finally – practice some more. Here’s one more tip: if you are practicing your cooking techniques and plating, you can run through a practice interview aloud while you do that.

Tomorrow: How to be ready and relaxed at the same time.

3rd HEAVY MEDAL CULINARY COMPETITION

with DINNER AND AUCTION

All the facts you need to know!

A CULINARY COMPETITION AND DINNER

Presented by Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), Arizona

Description: Two renowned chefs, FRANCESCO ROCCATO, InterContinental Montelucia Resort and Spa, and CHARLES KASSELS, El Chorro Lodge Restaurant, will compete to impress celebrity judges and a few lucky audience members with their range of culinary artistry and expertise at this challenge!

Guests will enjoy a special four-course dinner with expertly matched wines. Dessert will be prepared by Julia Baker of Julia Baker Confections. http://www.juliabakerconfections.com

THREE AUDIENCE MEMBERS will have a chance to join the celebrity judges in selecting the winner! Bob Bondurant of Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, Debbie Gaby, Co-Founder and President of Sleep America, are returning to judge the event. Phoenix Suns Coach Alvin Gentry will join the two other judges.

http://www.bondurant.com

http://www.sleepamerica.com

http://www.nba.com/suns/index_main.html

FIVE ENTICING AUCTION ITEMS will be up for bid! For example, we have a 4-hour performance driving experience at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving.

C-CAP students will assist in meal preparation and dinner service.

Date: Sunday, September 19, 2010

Time: 6:00 – 8:30 P.M.

Where: INTERCONTINENTAL MONTELUCIA RESORT AND SPA

4949 East Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley AZ 85253

480.627.3200

http://www.icmontelucia.com

Participating Chefs: CHEF FRANCESCO ROCCATO is the Director of Culinary Arts at

this outstanding resort. He leads the research and development of culinary concepts, sourcing of products and the exceptional service provided at Prado restaurant, ROQ and banquet/wedding catered events. He is an active member of the Slow Food movement and ensures the freshest quality ingredients are used. CHEF ROCCATO grew up in Torino, Italy. After completing his program at the Culinary Institute of Canada, he participated in culinary competitions and working for Canadian Pacific Hotels. Later he earned his master’s in Italian cuisine in Costigliole d’Asti, Italy. Prior to joining Montelucia, CHEF ROCCATO was at the InterContinental Hotel Valencia in Spain followed by the InterContinental Cleveland, Ohio.

CHEF CHARLES KASSELS is masterfully continuing the legacy of El Chorro Lodge – the 70-year old landmark restaurant in Paradise Valley. CHEF KASSELS returned to his native Arizona from the Four-Diamond Old House Restaurant at the El Dorado Resort in Santa Fe, NM. After training at the Culinary Institute of America, he worked at the Westin Kierland Resort, the Boulders, Continental Catering and at Barmouche. He enjoys a distinguished reputation in Arizona and looks forward to accomplishing even more. http://www.elchorrolodge.com

Guests: 150

Tickets: $175 per person

Ticket Line: 623.594.0117 or http://www.blacktie-arizona.com event code: ccap2010

Beneficiary: Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) works with public schools across the country to prepare underserved high school students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry. A national nonprofit organization founded in 1990 by well-known chef and author, Richard Grausman, C-CAP manages the largest independent culinary scholarship program in the United States and has awarded high school students $31 million in scholarships and donated $2.5 million worth of supplies and equipment to classrooms. C-CAP operates programs in seven locations: New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; Philadelphia; Hampton Roads, VA; Prince George’s County, Maryland; and statewide in Arizona.

For more information about C-CAP, visit www.ccapinc.org.

Sponsorship: Sponsorship packages are available at $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000. Call Sharon Levinson at 623.594.0117.

Let the competition begin!

Chefs Roccato and Kassels will bring their best weapons (knives included) to the Heavy Medal Competition set for September 19 at the Intercontinental Montelucia Resort and Spa.

Chef Kassels demonstrates an interesting knife technique to Chef Roccato (center), and Heavy Medal assistants Chelsea Edwards and Chef Jared Porter, The Parlor. Chelsea Edwards, Chef Roccato, Chef Kassels and Chef Porter are set to compete at Heavy Medal. Two chefs, two teams - and one "secret ingredient" for ONE Heavy Medal. Who will carry the prize away this year? Be there on September 19 and find out for yourself!