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Vintage Eve Circa Jan. 2013: The Institute for Culinary Education, (iCuE) is Coming

January 31, 2017 by evebushman

This past December I was invited to attend a reception at the Placerita Canyon home of Steve and Dianne Arklin to support the College of the Canyons Culinary Arts Capital Campaign. The invite read, “This is your chance to be part of a truly historic opportunity – where the love of fine food and good wine are paired with education and holiday cheer!”

The iCue today!

The iCue today!

After parking our cars at one home on the property we were whisked up to the “Tuscan Villa” via golf carts. The house, complete with a Mona Lisa replica that host Steve Arklin joked was the original, was decked out in sparkling holiday fixtures, wine tasting and live music. Guests mingled over a rich dinner and dessert buffet. Then the real show began.

Arklin, acting as our master of ceremonies announced, “We have food and wine paired together in just the right fashion.”   He then introduced our first speaker, Chief Development Officer Murray Wood.

The first thing Wood did was to thank the Chairman of the Foundation Board, Diana Cusumano, and her husband, Gary, for sharing their private label wine and David Hunt, of Hunt Cellars, for also donating wine. He then noted several local dignitaries in attendance, naming and then nodding to Blair Salisbury, Ken Strickland, Gloria Mercado Fortine, Bruce Fortine, Greg and Tracy McWilliams, Bob Keller and Steve Lavine. (I also spied Jasmine Foster, Julie and Steve Sturgeon, Bill Miranda, as well as Jay and Shelly Schutz.)

Wood quickly moved on to stating that College of the Canyons needs a permanent home for its culinary arts program – and how the guests can help with their pledges tonight. Then came Chancellor Dianne Van Hook.

Dr. Van Hook, a charismatic speaker if you haven’t had the privilege of hearing her, got the group very excited as she retold the school’s history and then shared her future plans for the culinary arts department.

“We exist to help meet community needs. California students will be working in prestigious California kitchens…the food service industry is one our largest employer groups. And, as opposed to other culinary arts programs, ours is affordable.”

Van Hook quoted schools charging between $50,000 to $75,000 for a culinary arts education as opposed to College of the Canyons charging $46 per unit – which adds up to $2,000 to $5,000 in total.

Van Hook continued, “With the starting pay in a restaurant at about $14 an hour students want to take advantage of a lower cost education – and we have twice as many students. Our existing kitchen, in Castaic, is too far for students taking other classes on campus.” Also, with a new dining room that can seat 140, according to Van Hook, students will learn the important front-of-the-house skills during the class setting, and when the room is used for events.

Van Hook, in turn, invited Diana Cusumano to talk for a moment. Cusumano said, “I am challenging those here tonight to match my $25,000 grant, and if accepted, I will offer a second one!”

Chef Cindy Schwanke spoke about how excited she was by Dianne’s vision and then she drove home just how cluttered the school is and that the “need is desperate.” Schwanke proudly named off several graduates that are now employed in Santa Clarita Valley restaurants.

Steve Corn, our final brief speaker, reminded us how “we all love to eat” and deserve a “world-class facility in Santa Clarita that is better than Le Cordon Bleu.”

From the Website

www.CanyonsCulinaryArts.com

We envision a 5,600-square-foot building in an architectural style that underlines both the simplicity of the reflective glass surfaces found on nearby structures and underlines an elegant sophistication appropriate for a building that will serve educational as well as social functions.

Individual elements include a “Show Kitchen,” a “Savory Kitchen,” a “Sweets Kitchen,” an area for “Wine Studies,” a “Culinary Lab space” and instructor office spaces. The current estimate for the cost of the new Culinary Arts building is about $4.7 million. Late in 2010, the college received outstanding news that the Library expansion project had come in $3 million under budget — and that savings can now be applied to the Culinary Arts project. That leaves a balance of $1.7 million to be raised.

Culinary Arts Programs

The Institute for Culinary Education at College of the Canyons currently offers:

  • Certificate of Achievement in Culinary Arts
  • Certificate of Specialization in Baking and Pastry
  • Certificate of Specialization in Wine Studies
  • Certificate of Specialization in Hospitality Wine Service

Culinary Arts programs that are currently in development:

  • Associate in Arts Degree — Culinary Arts
  • Additional Certificate in Wine Studies

Future:

  • Additional degrees, certificates and programs that respond to the needs of the industry.

A facility such as the one envisioned here will help facilitate the expansion of Culinary Arts offerings.

The Santa Clarita Valley needs a modern, efficient, affordable, maintainable, and accessible education center where all aspects of the culinary arts can be taught to the highest possible standards. We envision a center, where instruction in the culinary arts will be conducted by the most talented and respected professionals available, at an affordable cost — and of the highest quality — that will encourage students of all ages and backgrounds who wish to pursue the culinary arts as a lifelong profession.

The National Restaurant Association’s statistics show that the industry employed 12.7 million people in the United States in 2010. It is one of the largest private sector employers in the United States with sales in excess of $580 billion.

The Santa Clarita Valley and the greater Los Angeles area are home to 2007 restaurants of all sizes and types. Among these restaurants are some of the finest established eateries in the country as well as ethnic and theme restaurants, the newest in fusion restaurants, and restaurants that combine the best of cultures, techniques and cutting-edge culinary ideas.

These restaurants will need well-trained, creative and passionate employees for generations to come, underlining the need for a permanent teaching facility on the College of the Canyons campus.

  • A permanent home for the Culinary Arts program will enable us to train as many as 200 students each year in a wide variety of culinary specialties.
  • The new Culinary Art facility will enable us to create a Culinary Arts Associate in Arts degree and a Certificate in Wine Studies as well as additional future programs.
  • The college’s instruction in the Culinary Arts currently offers a Certificate of Achievement in Culinary Arts and a certificate of Specialization in Baking and Pastry.

We also offer Wine Studies and Hospitality Wine Service certificates of specialization.

Contact

Murray Wood
Chief Development Officer
(661) 362-3433 or email murray.wood@canyons.edu

College of the Canyons / College of the Canyons Foundation
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
College: (661) 259-7800 l Foundation: (661) 362-3434

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: charity, chef, college of the canyons, culinary, icue, kitchen, los angeles, restaurants, Santa Clarita, united states, wine education, Wine tasting

Almost here! The 9th Annual Sunset in the Vineyard!

September 28, 2016 by evebushman

The 9th Annual Sunset in the Vineyard, benefitting programs of Assistance League® Santa Clarita, will be held on Sunday, November 6th from 1- 4 pm at Compa Vineyard in Newhall.

sitv-logoThis palate-pleasing fall celebration has quickly become one of Santa Clarita’s premier wine events:

“It’s a celebration of the best of the Santa Clarita Valley–a generous, giving community, excellent local wineries and craft food vendors, and gracious hosts with a stunning backyard.” Marlee Lauffer, Foundation President of Henry Mayo Memorial Hospital and Assistance League Santa Clarita member

“It’s the closest thing to sipping and savoring in Tuscany – without having to go through an airport scanner.” Diana Sevanian, Community Writer, Non-profit Volunteer

“This event, while fun, offers the opportunity to make a difference in a young person’s life by providing basic fundamental needs.” Rose Chegwin, VP of Administration, Del West Engineering

The Chairs for the afternoon will be Jeannie Carpenter, Chris Cook and Stacey Mayfield. Many of our valley’s private vineyards and wine makers will be represented along with De Robertis Family Artisan Cheeses, VNTBC Nano Brewery, Copperhill Brewery and Speakeasy Bakery. We will have the opportunity to taste and savor wine, craft brews, cheeses, and breads directly from the artisans. Chef Cindy Schwanke and Michelle Razzano, along with their talented students from College of the Canyons Institute for Culinary Education will be making pizza from Tim’s wood-fired oven. While guests are enjoying this lovely event and partaking in an exciting live and silent auction, they will be entertained by music performed by Dole/Humphries.

ARTISANS

ALONSO FAMILY VINEYARDS, BELLISSIMO CELLARS, BOBCAT RED and DUE NASI, BOUQUET VINEYARD, CAPUANO WINERY, COMPA VINEYARD, COPPERHILL BREWERY, CPB WINES, DEROBERTIS FAMILY ARTISAN CHEESES, GAGNON CELLARS, GOLDEN STAR VINEYARDS, HOI POLLOI WINERY, HUNDRED VINES, MYSTIC HILLS VINEYARD, NUGGUCCIET CELLARS, PAGTER BROS, PUCHELLA WINERY, REYES WINERY, SPEAKEASY BAKERY, STEPHEN HEMMERT WINES, VNTBC NANNO BREWERY, WHISTLING VINEYARD.

Tickets for Sunset in the Vineyard are $85 in advance and $95 at the door. Complimentary valet parking is included. Tickets go on sale September 20th. To purchase tickets, donate an auction item, or learn more about Assistance League go to www.assistanceleaguesantaclarita.org and/or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/assistanceleaguesantaclarita/

Some of these needs are met by Assistance League’s® signature program, Operation School Bell®. As guests stroll by the “Back to School” display at Sunset, they will have the opportunity to see what this program is all about. Child sized mannequins decked out in Old Navy clothes and Payless Shoe Source shoes bring to life the reality that for many children in our valley, the only way they will be wearing new school clothes is through this program. The handwritten thank you notes Assistance League® receives communicate heartfelt messages of gratitude from the students and families. This year over 2500 students in need were clothed through the program!
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Assistance League Santa Clarita, organized in 1989 by local women, was chartered in 1993 and has grown to 174 members and 51 Assisteens®. A chapter of National Assistance League, it is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian, and IRS 501(c)(3) service organization. It is also a 100% volunteer-driven organization.
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All funds raised from Sunset in the Vineyard benefit Assistance League programs exclusively in the Santa Clarita Valley such as Operation School Bell® and i-care for kids which provides new prescription glasses for students.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: brewery, cellar, charity, college of the canyons, icue, palate, santa clarita valley, speakeasy bakery, sunset in the vineyard, vineyard, winemaker

COC Institute for Culinary Education Now Open for Lunch on Thursdays

August 31, 2016 by evebushman

The COC student – run laboratory – restaurant (iCuE Café) in the new Institute for Culinary Education at the Valencia Campus of College of the Canyons is now be open again every Thursday for a fabulous lunch.
slideshow_iCUE_01
Priority Seating Reservations offer you the first available table upon arrival for the size of your party.

To make reservations log on to:

http://www.canyons.edu/Departments/CULARTS/Pages/default.aspx  (Then click on the reservation tab on the top right-hand side of the webpage.

Prix Fix Lunch = $25.

Please note that the ICUE is only able to accept Visa/MasterCard debit/credit cards; currently, we cannot process cash, checks, or other credit card brands. Tipping is not obligatory; however, cash tips are very welcome and applied toward an end of the semester, educational-based, celebration for the students.

Please be aware that we only return calls and e-mail directions with an attached parking permit a day prior to service. If you have any questions, cancellations, or last minute changes, then please call (661) 362-3620 or e-mail (icue.restaurant@canyons.edu).

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: culinary, icue

Perlis Picks the ICUE

May 9, 2015 by evebushman

ICUE is here!

“What is ICUE?” you may be asking.

Well, it is the new College of the Canyons Institute for Culinary Education.

Yes, the Santa Clarita Valley now has its very own culinary institute, where students can get a world-class culinary education at a fraction of the cost of those high-priced private schools out there. The fact is, people tend to get into the food service industry because they are passionate about it, not because they expect huge financial rewards [at least not immediately]. Entry level wages in this industry tend to be low, so not having to start with a mountain of debt is an added plus to gaining an excellent education at ICUE.

Chef Cindy Schwanke watching over Karen Perlis as she dips!

Chef Cindy Schwanke watching over Karen Perlis as she dips!

The COC Culinary Arts program has actually been around for a while, but never had a permanent home until now, with a beautiful new facility right on the College of the Canyons Valencia campus. Here at Eve’s Wine 101, we are proud to have participated in the fundraising efforts to make this a reality. Recently, we were invited to attend the Culinary Donor Celebration to see firsthand what our efforts had achieved. [Actually, this invitation was extended to Eve and Eddie Bushman and rightfully so. But, they were out of town. Their loss was our gain, and my wife Karen and I gladly stepped in in their stead.]

We started our evening in the school’s dining room, where we first stopped and chatted with local winemakers Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper of Pulchella and sampled the delicious wines they had brought for the guests – my favorite that evening was a Grenache-based blend, but I enjoyed all of them. And, I “enjoyed” them multiple times over the course of the evening.

We listened to COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook as she spoke of how the program had found its home and then we joined her in a toast to christen the new facility.

We were then divided into groups and began our tour of the new building, where we were provided with demonstrations as well as samples. The quality of the instructors and the passion of the students was only matched by the deliciousness of the food we were served – I managed to score a couple extra servings of the duck in order to prove my hypothesis here.

We wrapped up our tour in the Wine Studies room, where Mystic Hills Vineyard’s Judy Cox presided over a tasting of their delicious wines, including my favorite Unforgiven, a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. EPSON MFP image

And of course, we learned a few things. Most important to me was that not only does the program offer three certificates [Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry, and Wines Studies] but they are also going to be holding community workshops for the public, where for a fee you can attend a hands-on or demonstration class. In addition, the dining room is going to open to the public, initially only for lunch.

Wrapping up our evening, it was great to see the support being given to ICUE by so many of the SCV’s luminaries. Our town has much to be proud of.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com

Filed Under: Michael Perlis Tagged With: Cabernet Franc, cabernet sauvignon, coc, college of the canyons, culinary, eve wine 101, food pairing, Grenache, icue, Malbec, Merlot, mystic hills vineyard, petit verdot, pulchella winery, Santa Clarita, wine education

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