DECEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER

Washington State Chef's Association

NOVEMBER HOLIDAY DINNER

The annual holiday dinner was a wonderful time. We enjoyed the delicious appetizers and dinner at the 13 Coins SeaTac. Chef Phil Kagotmay and his team did a wonderful job preparing the food.

Elections

We had elections that night with two new elected board members. They are Saul Ramirez CEC, Executive Chef at the Red Wind Casino, and Kelsi Ham CC, F & B supervisor at the Tulalip Casino. Glad to have both of you aboard!

Invite A Guest Raffle

The November meeting was “invite” a guest night and a raffle was held for a one-year membership for our chapter and the American Culinary Federation.

Here are the two winners:

For pictures and more info on the November Holiday Dinner,

visit our website.

PRESIDENT'S AWARDS DINNER

Date: Monday, February 6th, 2023

Location: Maynard's in Silverdale

Times:

Board Meeting: 4:00-6:00pm

Reception: 6:00-7:00pm

Dinner: 7:00-8:30pm

Cost:

Members - $50

Non-member- $60

Students - $20

Our next meeting, the President’s Award Dinner, will be at Maynard’s in Silverdale on February 6th. Host Chef JJ Meland CEC is planning a great dinner with an oyster bar from Taylor Shellfish and US Foods Chef Charles Ramseyer with Bite of the Apprentice winners serving the winning bites for appetizers. Yes, they were that good to enjoy again. We will have the presentation of awards which are as follows:

Student of the Year

Educator of the Year

Associate member of the Year

Presidential Medallions

Leadership Pins

Chef of the Year

Last year’s raffle for a trip to the National Convention was an enormous success, so much so we are going to do it again. Yes, a trip to New Orleans July 16th-19th (NOLA) with airfare, hotel and convention registration fees included. This is a value of over $2,500. RAFFLE TICKETS ARE ONLY $10.00 each. Looking forward to a wonderful night of great food, fun and excitement.

For reservations, pay online at the link below or to pay at the door, fill out the reservation form below: 

Reservation Form

Visit the meetings page for more details.

COMING EVENTS

January 9th, 2023 - Board meeting at 4PM - Bates Technical College - Downtown Campus - 1101 S. Yakima Ave, Tacoma Wa 98405

February 6th, 2023 - President's Awards Dinner - Maynards Restaurant

March 13th, 2023 - Pitmaster Demonstration by BBQ expert Randall Poole at Renton Tech 4:00PM

April 10th, 2023 - Cook-off and Silent Auction at Renton Technical College - The Bite of the Duck - Sponsored by Maple Leaf

June 12th, 2023 - Seattle Mariners Game at 6:40PM

Codi Miller

Jason Stevens

Jessie Burdick

Jonah Stewart

Member Spotlight - Kelsi Ham

Favorite Quote:

"Cooking is about passion, so it may look slightly temperamental in a way that it's too assertive to the naked eye." -Gordon Ramsay 

Bio:

I am Kelsi Ham, F & B supervisor at the Tulalip Casino. 

I was born and raised right here in the PNW. I graduated from Everett High School and after a few different majors in college decided to follow my passion and go to Culinary School. I graduated from Skagit Valley College in 2021 and then decided to go for my bachelor’s in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management at Johnson and Wales University online. I have a four-year-old and we have one on the way while also beginning the planning stages of opening my own restaurant business. I have been in the industry for about 10 years now.

Favorite Recipe:

I have many favorite recipes, but most are family recipes that are not written down, nor complete. Here is a recipe I have made many many times; this is a household favorite and gone before I am done frosting.

Cinnamon Roll Cookies

(Recipe Link)

Frosting Ingredients:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 8 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 teaspoons milk or cream, as needed
• Ground cinnamon, for sprinkling

Frosting Directions:

1. In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter.
2. Then add in powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
3. Add in vanilla and milk as needed until desired consistency is met.
4. Beat until light and fluffy.
5. Then pipe the frosting onto the cooled cookies and add a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Cookies Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

Cookies Directions:

1. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla, and mix well.
3. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt and mix until a firm dough forms.
4. Chill 30 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
6. Roll the dough into one-inch balls and place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Flatten each ball slightly with your hand or with a drinking glass to be about 1/3- to 1/2-inch thick.
7. Bake 7 to 9 minutes, or until the bottom edges are just slightly golden brown. Remove to a cooling rack and let cool before frosting.

Visit the Member Spotlight page for more info or to see other Member Spotlights.

Certification Practical Exams

We will have 3 Practical Exams scheduled at Renton Technical College for 2023. Check the Certification page for more specific dates coming soon!

Date: January 2023

Date: May 2023

Date: October 2023

WANT TO BECOME ACF CERTIFIED FOR FREE?

The WSCA has decided to help all WSCA members including culinarians, chefs, cooks, bakers, and pastry chefs by reimbursing for payment of their certification. We will pay all fees associated with the process. We want to help your career path towards a more successful culinary experience. More and more employers are looking for qualified experienced and educated employees. ACF Certification proves your knowledge and practical skill level. 

Once you pass the final written and practical test and receive your ACF certification send us the receipts and we will reimburse your personal cost.

Visit the Certification page for more info. You can register online or submit the Practical Exam Candidate Registration Form. If you have ANY questions about certification, please reach out to any of our board members or other chapter-certified chefs and we will walk you through the process.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 1st, 2023

AWARD DATE: FEBRUARY WSCA MEETING

Visit the Scholarships webpage to find the scholarship application and more info on other scholarships offered.

*One scholarship awarded per period. Two may be issued at the committee's discretion based on criteria met by more than one applicant.