Culinary Capers
July 2014 | Newsletter
Featured in this Issue:
Long Table Dinner | June 8
SCS Alumnus, Chef Rich Francis featured on Canada AM
Only 2 Weeks until the Savour Stratford Festival July 19-20
Where's "Big Red" in the Summer Months?
Support a Student Chef Bursary Campaign Continues
"A Day in the Life" is Now Online!
ONLY 2 WEEKS AWAY!
Chef Rich Francis ('08) appears on CANADA AM for the Savour Stratford Festival
SCS alumnus and recent Top Chef Canada finalist, Chef Rich Francis ('08) was featured on Canada AM, Thursday July 3 promoting the Savour Stratford Perth County Culinary Festival.
Watch his spot here:
SCS Alumni Featured at the Savour Stratford Culinary Festival July 19-20
Stratford's award winning Savour Stratford Perth County Culinary Festival moves from September to July 19th and 20th and will once again celebrate local artisan producers and farmers, outstanding Stratford chefs and welcome great guest culinary personalities - many of whom got their start at the Stratford Chefs School!
Set in the heart of Stratford’s heritage garden district bordered by the Avon River, this year’s festival theme is Coast to Coast to Coast and highlights the 30th Anniversary of the School.
We will have Stratford Chefs School signage at all events featuring alumni, and will also be distinguishing alumni at The Grand Tasting and at the Farmers Market.
Keep your eyes open for the SCS logo and be sure to sample and savour the fine food of our talented alumni!
Featured SCS Alumni include:
James Walt ('91):
- Chef at the famed Araxi restaurant, in Whistler and certified Oceanwise chef, James Walt will showcase sustainable West Coast seafood: wild salmon, spot prawns, geoduck, oysters and sea urchin in Treasures of the Pacific. James has long been a champion of regional cuisine. James' culinary career has taken him from the Canadian Embassy in Rome to the James Beard House and some of BC's best restaurants.
- Saturday, July 19th - Noon - Toronto Star Culinary Stage
Rich Francis ('08):
- This season’s Top Chef Canada finalist, Rich Francis is one of Canada’s leading chefs of modern aboriginal cuisine. A member of the Tetlit Gwich'in and Tuscarora Nations, Rich has championed the combination of native cultures and traditions, locally sourced products and modern cooking techniques. Rich is chef owner of Aboriginal Culinary Concepts and winner of the 2013 Savour Stratford Festival’s Most Creative Dish, Rich's career has included Toronto's Splendido and Peller Estates in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
- Saturday, July 19th - 3:00pm - Toronto Star Culinary Stage
Carl Heinrich ('05) and Ryan Donovan ('05)
- Returning to the Festival are Carl, winner of Top Chef Season Two, and Ryan, business partner and in-house butcher, at their critically acclaimed Toronto restaurant, Richmond Station. After graduation from SCS, Carl went on to work at Michelin star chef, Daniel Boulud’s DB Bistro Moderne in New York for four years before returning to Canada. Their philosophy of quality ingredients and modern techniques will be demonstrated in the benefits of purchasing a whole animal and nose to tail cooking featuring famous Perth County Pork.
- Sunday, July 20th - 1:30pm - Toronto Star Culinary Stage
Ryan O'Donnell ('10)
- In his session titled Fundamentals of Fermentation, SCS instructor and sous chef at the renowned The Prune restaurant, Ryan O'Donnell will focus on the process of fermentation. Ryan will demonstrate this method of enriching the flavours of commonly enjoyed foods as well as expand upon its potential for the inquisitive cook.
- Sunday, July 20th - 10:30am - Tutored Talks & Tastings, Knox Amphitheatre
Many SCS Alumni will also be participating in the Savour Stratford Festival's Grand Tasting (Sunday, July 20 12pm-4pm). This elegant garden party takes place off historic York Street fronting the Avon River and pairs 30 local chefs with local food producers and farmers to create seasonal delicacies complemented by Ontario VQA wines and craft brews.
- Tasting Awards will be presented.
- Musical entertainment by 2014 Juno nominee Alysha Brilla Quartet and The Riley O’Connor Trio featuring Jordana Talsky.
- Admission: $100 VIP, $75 General Admission (plus handling fee & HST)
So, come mingle among the farmer’s and artisan markets accompanied by free music concerts and surrounded by food stalls, special chef presentations and choose from over 30 talks, tastings and sampling events!
For more information on the wonderful events happening during the Savour Stratford Perth County Culinary Festival - including the GE Cafe Chefs Series - and to purchase tickets, please go to their website by clicking the button above.
LONG TABLE DINNER | June 8th, 2014
The Stratford Chefs School is genuinely grateful to everyone who helped to make the Long Table Dinner fundraising event a success – despite the rain!
Although the weather was not on our side for an outdoor event this year, we couldn’t be more pleased with how everyone came together and created a wonderful evening quickly re-located to the Paul D. Fleck Marquee at the Festival Theatre!
Everyone looked beautiful arriving in their summer whites and wearing smiles bright enough to chase away the clouds! The sun came out just in time to cheer hearts and encourage us to open the Marquee doors to the fresh spring evening.
Thank you to all who attended!
(Below - Louis and Mary Pat Flores with Al and Elaine Ratcliffe)
Thank you to our generous community sponsors and partners:
TD Bank Group - Presenting Sponsor
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. - Event Sponsor
Bradshaws & Kitchen Detail
Church Hill Farm
The City of Stratford
Creative Feats
Danna Nicole
DJ Wigs
Gadsby’s Clothing Co. Inc.
Lighthouse Lemonade
The Local Community Food Centre
McDonnell Carpentry Ltd.
Nestle Waters Canada
Pelee Island Winery
Porter Airlines
Red Truck Design and Event Management
Rosewood Estates
Samsonite Canada Inc.
Savour Stratford Perth County Culinary Festival
Snap’d
Soiled Reputation
Stratford Perth Community Foundation
Stratford Summer Music
The Hintonburg Public House
The Stratford Festival
Terry Manzo Photography
Special thank you to our partner restaurants and chefs:
Jordan Lassaline
Monforte Dairy and Ruth Klahssen
revel caffè and Anne Campion
Rundles Restaurant and Chef Neil Baxter and Kathy Bell
The Prune Restaurant and Chef Bryan Steele, Ryan O'Donnell, and Brandon Murch
Thank you to our fantastic volunteers who generously donated their time in support of the school and this event: Derek Barnes, Frances Evans, Tom Giannakopoulos, Melanie Hyde, Joel Kechnie, Jesse Larsen, Lana Mau, Ian Middleton, Angie Mohr, Hilary Nuhn, Kristen Nuhn, Sarah Nuhn, Alex O'Shea, Michael Padmore, Paul Smith, and Steven Wiebe.
And finally, we would like to say a deeply heartfelt thank you to our volunteer Event Chair, Laurie Nuhn.
As a registered charity, the Stratford Chefs School relies on fundraising efforts, such as the Long Table Dinner, to keep tuition affordable and maintain excellence of training. We are pleased to announce that we raised $12,000.00 for the School’s International Chefs in Residence Program. This exceptional one-of-a-kind training module sets the Stratford Chefs School apart from other culinary institutions by exposing our students to a range of culinary approaches from some of the world’s preeminent chefs. Connections students make with these international visiting chefs often lead to invaluable internship opportunities that give our graduates an edge in the competitive restaurant industry.
Now in our fourth decade of training and preparing future chefs, we are humbly reminded that the great success, tradition and longevity of the School would not be possible without you. Thank you for your enthusiasm, and commitment to the Stratford Chefs School!
Photography by Terry Manzo
Stratford Chefs School Charcuterie with Pickles
Rundles Restaurant, Chef Neil Baxter
Main course of wood-fired roasted beef and roasted vegetables
Chef Jordan Lassaline (class of 2005)
Cheese course provided by Monforte
Ruth Klahsen (class of 1985) Owner/Cheese Maker, Monforte Dairy
Dessert course of Chocolate Mousse and Beet Angel Food Cake, Balsamic Gastrique, Spruce Tips and Sorrel
The Prune Restaurant, Chef Bryan Steele
WHERE'S "BIG RED"?
Our transportable wood-fired pizza oven is a well-loved piece of equipment at the Stratford Chefs School. It has been the silent star of many SCS Dinner Series meals during the Fall and Winter months. But what happens to the oven in the summer?
We are very proud to partner with the Local Community Food Centre and their Summer Pizza Bake! The Pizza Bake offers kids 18 and under a chance to get their hands in the garden, using some of what they harvest in the pizzas they will then create and bake! The Pizza Bakes happen every Wednesday from now until the end of August from 3:30pm to 6:30pm at the Local Community Food Centre (612 Erie Street, Stratford). There is story telling provided by the Stratford Public Library at 3:30pm. Throughout the summer, there will be other activities, such as cartooning workshops. You can drop in any time, there is no registration, and IT'S FREE!
What is a Community Food Centre, you say?
A Community Food Centre is a welcoming space where people come together to grow, cook, share and advocate for good food. CFCs provide emergency access to high-quality food in a dignified setting that doesn’t compromise their self-worth. People learn cooking and gardening skills there, and kids get their hands dirty in the garden and kitchen in ways that expand their taste buds and help them to make healthier food choices.
The Local is a partner site of Community Food Centres Canada, a national organization that’s driving the development of CFCs across the country. Along with The Table Community Food Centre in Perth and Toronto’s The Stop Community Food Centre, The Local is helping to increase access for healthy food to low-income Canadians while proving that food can be a transformative force in our communities.
For more on the Local Community Food Centre, visit www.thelocalcfc.org
Watch a short film on the weekly LCFC Pizza Bake! (below)
A DAY IN THE LIFE
Train with us!
Are you passionate about a career in the Culinary Arts? Or do you know someone who is looking for the perfect school to hone their skills?
The Stratford Chefs School is now accepting applications for Fall 2014.
Train as an apprentice and you can save $3,000 on your tuition!
What are you waiting for?
Contact our Recruitment Officer, Bob Friesen to discuss the possibility of becoming a student this fall!
Email: bfriesen@stratfordchef.com or
Call: 519.271.1414
SUPPORT A STUDENT CHEF
You can make a real and lasting difference in the life of a student chef in financial need...
A career in the kitchen is a calling for students who attend the Stratford Chefs School. Life as a chef apprentice consists of hard work and long hours under stressful conditions, with little in the way of remuneration.
Every dollar donated to this campaign is invested in scholarships and bursaries for deserving students; enabling many future chefs to continue their studies when they might otherwise have been forced to withdraw. Based on demonstrated need, scholarship funds help students cover school fees, rent and general living expenses.
Without support from people like you, it would be impossible for some of these students to realize their dream.
STRATFORD CHEFS SCHOOL SOCIAL MEDIA
The Stratford Chefs School wants to connect with you!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Receive first notice of menus, events and deals.
Get an insider's look at the School!
WEEKLY UPDATES: a great way to keep up-to-date with daily menus and visiting chefs!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SUPPORTERS DURING THE 2013/14 SCHOOL YEAR
Now in our fourth decade of training and preparing chefs to enter the industry, everyone at the Stratford Chefs School is humbly reminded that the great success, tradition and longevity of the School would not be possible without the support and interest of our community.
Thank you!
Brewed Coffee Partner
revel caffè
Photography Partner
Terry Manzo
Technology Partner
The City of Stratford
The Compudoc and Switch Wifi
Vehicle Partner
Bustard Chrysler
Wine Partners
Cave Spring Cellars
Hidden Bench
John Hanna & Sons Ltd.
Malivoire Wine
Norman Hardie Winery
Rosehall Run
Rosewood Estates
The Vine - Rob Groh Agency
13th Street Winery
Escoffier Donors
Chef de Cuisine ($5000 and up)
George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation
The Mosaic Foundation (of Rita and Peter Heydon)
Toronto Community Foundation
Sous Chef ($2500 and up)
Dr. Robert Close
Kim Cosgrove
Margaret D. King
Ellen Lehman
Timothy J. Leonard
Dr. Dennis and Laurie Nuhn
revel caffè
Stratford Perth Community Foundation
Saucier ($1500 and up)
Dr. Jason and Sarah Bandey
Tier Three Brokerage Ltd.
Chef de Partie ($1000 and up)
Alexandra and Timothy MacDonald
John and Phyllis Rae
Carrie and Jeremy Wreford
Apprentice ($100 and up)
Anonymous
Joyce M. Abbott
Michael Alkier
Ted and Michele Boniface
Stephen Barlow and Alida Smisek
Karyn Dirse
Gayle & Larry Folliott
Doreen Gryfe
Hans and Lydia Habegger
Dr. Sandy Fetterly and Michelle Hall
Susan Hiscock
Judith Horner and Hammond Bentall
Marion Isherwood
Shirley and Ted Jeffrey
Stirling and Clare Kenny
Max and Vicki Lass
Ross and Fran McElroy
Sharon McKay
Rai Grant Insurance Brokers
Lucille Roch
Faye and Rosaire Roy
Jeff and Marie Schaus
Jack and Doreen Sedgewick
John and Jill Skinner
Gordon and Elaine Steed
Soiled Reputation
David and Susan Tamblyn
Kim and Dave Thompson
Michael and June Welsh
Gastronomic Writer in Residence Donors
Elizabeth Baird
Jocie Bussin
Elizabeth C. Jones
Corby Kummer
Anne Lindsay
Sandra and Jim Pitblado
Darlene Madott
Support a Student Chef Donors
Susan Agranove
BMO Financial Group
Lynda and David Bowen
Paul Butler
George D. Carson
Susan Craig
Kathryn Fleming
Ann Gawman
Eleanor Gow
John Hall
Pam and John Hambly
Hon. Paul T. Hellyer
Eleanor Kane
Joseph Kokoszka
John and Ann Lang
Dana Link
Christy Lomax
Connie and Jim MacDougall
Aaron Malkin
Hugh D. McDonald
Gary Miller
Delia Moog
Carol Duncan and George Oleske
Kimberley Payne
Christopher Reed
John R. Reed
Barbara Schubert
Lawrence C. Sweet
Sally Thompson
Audrey Turner
Geoff Whitney
2013 Graduation Scholarship Donors
Elizabeth Baird
Bijou Restaurant
Bradshaws Kitchen Detail
Cinzano Vermouth and Peter Mielzynski Agencies Ltd.
Garland Canada
Rob Groh and The Vine Agency
Kikkoman
Payne-Smith Family
Bonnie Richardson
Stratford Tourism Alliance
York Street Kitchen on Erie
30th Anniversary Alumni Donors
Rocco Agostino
David Ferguson
Trent Loewen
Heidi Noble
Deborah Reid
Lindsay Reid
Cory Vitiello
Tina Walt
Board of Directors
Nigel Howard
Timothy J. Leonard
Dr. Dennis Nuhn
Advisors
Eleanor Kane
Shelley Windsor
John Wolfe
Stratford Chefs School
The Stratford Chefs School is a world renowned, not-for-profit educational institution now entering its fourth decade training young Canadian chefs through a unique, industry-driven program. Stratford Chefs School is supported by Service Canada and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Charitable No. 119199958 RR0001
Email: admin@stratfordchef.com
Website: www.stratfordchef.com
Location: 68 Nile Street, Stratford, ON, Canada
Phone: 519-271-1414
Facebook: www.facebook.com/StratfordChefsSchool
Twitter: @StratfordChef