1st Annual Alumni Throw Down was a success!

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08.12.2009 --

On Saturday, August 8th, Alumni from DC Central Kitchen's Culinary Job Training program, along with professional chefs, restaurant owners and spectators, gathered together at Washington Jesuit Academy for the 1st Annual Alumni Throw Down.

The event served as an opportunity for Alumni to showcase their culinary talent, reunite with their classmates and network with restaurants, hotels and chefs.

The Cook-Off was the main event as Alumni competed to "Be the cook, not the cooked." Teams of Alumni partnered with a professional chef and worked to create the best dish using a surprise ingredient. The winning competitors were Alumni Ronald Boykins (Class 73), John Battle (Class 74) and Larry Troxler (Class 67). Together, they created the winning dish: Santa Fe Beef Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Mash.

Special thanks to our skillful Kitchen Coaches:

• Dan Traster, Culinary Critic and Freelance Writer
• Gregg Malsbary, Bethesda Country Club
• Lester Fields, Executive Chef at Murphy's Irish Pub, Alexandria VA
• Emmanuel Abankroh, Executive Sous Chef at Marriott Renaissance
• Adam William, Sous Chef at Marriott Renaissance

And special thanks to our excellent Judges:

• Ris Lacoste, Chef/Owner of Ris
• Francois Dionot, Founder/Director of L'Academie de Cuisine
• Cesare Lanfranconi, Executive Chef/Partner at Spezie Ristorante
• Susan Callahan, Chef Instructor at University of Maryland Eastern Shore
• Bernard Henry, Chef at Open Kitchen

Alumni were also able to prepare specialty dishes at home and enter them in the People's Choice Competition. Event attendees tasted each dish and then voted for their favorite. Crab Cakes Delight was the winning dish, created by Russchelle Moore (Class 72).

In addition, Josh Carin from Geppetto Catering delivered an encouraging speech to the Alumni and guests. Duane Drake, a graduate of Class 71 and currently an employee of Fresh Start Catering, also spoke to the crowd about his experience as a graduate of the Culinary Job Training program. As the Production Supervisor at Washington Jesuit Academy, it was Duane's idea to host the event at the school.

Alumni and guests were also able to participate in a raffle, potentially winning one of the following gifts from our generous sponsors:

• Comfort One Shoes Gift Certificate, donated by Maurice Bretton
• CulinAire Class, donated by Susan Watterson
• Culinary Class at L'Academie de Cuisine, donated by Francois and Patrice Dionot
• Culinary Classes from Open Kitchen, donated by Hue Chan Karels
• Mystic Tickets, donated by Ted Leonsis
• Signed cookbook by Guest Chef Najmieh Batmanglij

Throughout the afternoon, guests were able to enjoy delicious appetizers prepared by the current 76th Culinary Job Training class. Special thanks to Chef Kendall Barrett, owner of Kendall's Cakes, for working with the students to prepare the reception.

Once again, we thank everyone who participated in, helped with and attended the 1st Annual Alumni Throw Down. We are very proud of all Alumni who participated in the Cook-Off and People's Choice Competition. Keep up the great work - we wish you continued success as you pursue your culinary careers.

YOU are the cook!