Heritage Day: Irish, Persian and Italian cuisine

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05.14.2009 --

On Wednesday, DC Central Kitchen hosted three area chefs to celebrate Heritage Day with our Culinary Job Training Class.

Guest chefs included:

• Chef Najmieh Batmanglij - Cookbook Author and Authority on Persian Cuisine
• Chef Lester Field – Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
• Chef Cesare Lanfranconi - Spezie

Class 75 was lively and ready to learn from these culinary masters. Teams of eight students rotated through each chef’s station, learning how to make a specific ethnic cuisine, as well as gleaning advice and inspiration about careers in food service.

With Chef Najmieh Batmanglij, trainees learned how to make a delightfully sweet Persian Rice Salad with Candied Orange Peel and Carrots. At Chef Lester Field’s station, students made Irish Meat Pie with Gravy, Cajun Tuna with White Sauce and Artichoke Spinach Dip. And finally Chef Cesare Lanfranconi guided the students in making Homemade Gnocchi with Salsa di Pomodorini Freschi (Fresh Marinated Cherry Tomato Sauce).

"Class 75 usually asks a lot of questions and they did not disappoint in that respect. Their questions were well placed, the chefs really appreciated their interest and the food was outstanding," summarized Culinary Arts Coordinator Linda Vogler.

The Heritage days are part of a series of special events in the curriculum of the Culinary Job Training program, each designed to broaden the repertoire of these new culinary professionals. The program is aimed at preparing our trainees for a career in the food service industry, giving these underemployed individuals the tools to triumph over poverty and become self-sufficient.