|
Scottsdale, Arizona (ICC) 11-08
Classic Cooking Academy (CCA), a private postsecondary culinary school in Scottsdale, Arizona, is offering a full tuition scholarship to a promising Native American student for its 2009 semester.
With all the American Indian tribes in the Southwest, and given the number of resorts, casinos, and their many restaurants, Chef and Executive Director Pascal Dionot and his wife, Donna, became aware of the need for including programs influenced by Native American cuisine in their culinary school curriculum. The Dionots thus created the Classic and Native American Culinary Program to teach technical food production skills based on the classic French tradition with the inclusion of American Indian food production and cookery.
“I have always been fascinated by the fact that until four hundred years ago there were no tomatoes, potatoes, corn, or vanilla in Europe. Today Native foods are a force for economic development and social change,” notes Chef Pascal. He further comments, “Comprehensive training in classic techniques is vital for anyone who plans to pursue a career in the culinary arts, understanding the relationship between culture and cuisine is equally important.” “Currently little or no representation of Native Americans exists in the world of professional cookery,” notes Bertina Cadman, Native American Program Director, “the need for Native foods managed by Native peoples is vast.” Cadman, along with food historian Freddie Bitsoie, have been working with the Dionots in developing the Native American culture and cuisine portion of the curriculum, in addition to coordinating culinary workshops geared toward health, nutrition, and teambuilding for Native American youth and adults.
Since its inception the program has gained much support from prominent Native American chefs and food historians such as Lois Ellen Frank, author of Foods of the Southwest Indian Nations who has participated in dinners held at CCA, and Loretta Barrett Oden, host of the PBS series “Seasoned with Spirit,” who is scheduled to host a fundraising dinner in November on behalf of CCA.
The program began on September 8, 2008, and be will be six months (24 weeks) in duration with classes daily Monday thru Thursday from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm. The scholarship offered will cover tuition, books and supplies for the next semester which begins on March 16, 2009. Housing and transportation are not included and should be provided by the recipient. “We are seeking a competent individual who is willing to learn and commit to 24 weeks of culinary training, and who is truly passionate about food,” comments Chef Dionot. Classic Cooking Academy certainly has much to anticipate.
To apply for the scholarship please submit the following documents to Classic Cooking Academy, 10411 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255 by January 30, 2009: completed application and 250 word essay describing his or her background and career aspirations. Applications are available by request. The scholarship recipient will be notified by mid-February.
For further information on the unique opportunities offered at Classic Cooking Academy please call 480.502.0177 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
Quote this article on your site
Comment on this Article
