Kitchen of Champions Culinary Training Program: June 2011

Monday, June 27, 2011

Field Trip to Mission Pie

The day after graduation, we celebrated with the students by taking a field trip to Mission Pie in San Francisco (www.missionpie.com). During the last month of the program, the students participated in baking workshops led by Karoline Boehm-Goodnick and Ben Goodnick. Karoline is the General Manager of Mission Pie, and Ben is the Executive Sous Chef at Epic Roasthouse (www.epicroasthouse.com). It was such a privilege to have these two spend so much time with the students and teach them everything from cookies to pie crust to homemade bread. We couldn't possibly finish the class without taking a trip to Karoline's pie shop! We took a tour of the kitchen facilities, and then shared a mixed berry pie and a banana cream pie together at the cafe. It was such a nice way to end the class.

Karoline showing off Mission Pie's huge oven

Theresa and Mike Mike in the Mission Pie kitchen

Yummy peaches being prepped... everything at Mission Pie is local and seasonal except the bananas!

The boys

Hanging out in the cafe

Mike Mike servin' up pies for all the students

The whole crew!

Cohort 27 Graduates!!

The 27th Kitchen of Champions class graduated on Thursday, June 23rd, and it was quite a joyous occasion. The graduates' friends and family packed the SVdP Dining Room to the brim. After walking out to "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers, keynote speaker Judge Stuart Hing gave an inspiring speech to all the students about how lucrative the food industry is and how many opportunities are out there for them. Each student then received their new knife sets, certificates, and were then given the chance to say a few words. The graduates' speeches were heartfelt, and just about everyone in the audience shed a few tears! The ceremony concluded with a huge feast that the students prepared all week long for their families. It was a great day.