Jackson's big day!

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100805/NEWS01/308050054/Salvation+Army+program+feeds+participants++future


The Salvation Army’s Culinary Training Program graduates couldn’t thank “Chef Tim” enough Thursday.


For many of the 10 graduates chef Timothy Tucker, who runs the program — gave them a much-needed second chance.

“Chef Tim said the class was full, but he said he was going to let me in anyway,” graduate Aratha Johnson said during a ceremony held at the old Male High School’s Garden Room on Brook Street. “This has been a wonderful experience for me and I look forward to taking it to another level.”

Johnson, who worked in various kitchens for a temp agency before joining the program, said he’d like to run his own restaurant at some point

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Culinary grads

The program — a 10-week course that teaches individuals with little or no culinary experience how to slice and dice in a kitchen and prepare food — was created by Tucker five years ago.

Seventy people have graduated during the program’s short history and many have gone on to work at local kitchens at hospitals and hotels and some area restaurants such as 610 Magnolia, Seviche and Mark’s Feed Store.

And that’s the goal of the program.

“We’re looking to get these guys entry level jobs in good restaurants,” Tucker said.

Matt Yates, executive director for the Center of Hope, a social services arm for the Salvation Army, called the program a major step for the graduates in finding the right path.

“It’s not a temporary fix on poverty, it’s permanent,” Yates said. “It gives (the graduates) life long skills that they can use to start a career and become self-sufficient in the service industry.”

Some individuals look to the program as a way out of drug and alcohol addictions or a way to better themselves after hardships.

Les Johnson admitted he had his share of problems in the past. But with no cooking experience, he found the program and it has provided some light for a brighter future.

“It means a great deal to me because of my history, this has given me an opportunity to get my foot in the door for some type of blue collar work,” Johnson — no relation to Aratha — said. Les Johnson said he planned to attend Jefferson Community & Technical College’s culinary program to further his skills.

The new graduates also now have extra motivation as this class marked the first in which a graduate was awarded with a two-year scholarship to Sullivan University, valued at more than $40,000.

Jackson Hodges was the recipient of the first scholarship, which gives Hodges the option of choosing two different programs at the university.

University president Glenn Sullivan addressed the graduates offering a pep talk and explaining how a school committee chose Hodges for the scholarship. He said someone who could “show that they really changed their life for the better with the opportunity Chef Tim gave them” was an ideal candidate and Hodges represented that.

“I feel like I’m on top of the world,” Hodges said after the ceremony. “I’ve come through a lot, a whole lot.”

Reporter Chris Quay can be reached at (502) 582-4241.

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From left: Warren Bell, Torrence Sarver and Antuan Edwards get food from the buffet line at a graduation ceremony for those completing the Salvation Army's Culinary Training Program Thursday. (By Michael Hayman, The Courier-Journal) August 5, 2010 (cj)

state fair Iron Chef recipe

Ribeye with chilaquiles, tomato cucmber salad,potato lyonnaise


Ribeye seared to Med rare (salt and pepper)

chilaquiles- (sandy’s eggs,roasted red,green,yellow peppers,fresh basil,tortilla strips,local pepper jack cheese

tomato and cucumber salad- tomato and cucumber,fresh basil,rasp. red wine vinegar

lyonnaise potatoes- super thin slices in circles,
start with a hot pan and a touch of butter.
then make little circles in a pan, over lapping the potatoes slightly.
sear and flip both sides should be seasoned with salt/pepper,thyme and oregano.
garnish with tortilla stripsRibeye with chilaquiles, tomato cucmber salad,potato lyonnaise

chef iron chef @ the state fair the Thursday

chef iron chef @ the state fair this Thursday..


hello all-
I wanted you all to that I will be at the state fair this Thursday at 2 pm.
and I will have a co-chef with me from channel 11 news.
Hope to see you there.
cheers

Timothy