“Restaurant day”
Lead by Food and Finance high school culinary instructor chef Geoff Tulloch, and his fellow chef instructors chef Holiday, Chef Peggy, Chef Burgos, and Chef Vera. “Restaurant day” now known now as Food and Finance High School's “annual student showcase”, is an event to showcase the Junior class hospitality and culinary ability's.
The event has been an annual event for a total of 9 years and each one seems to top the last in some way. Until last year the event was for Seniors and Juniors only but with changing times, the students allowed to participate this year included every grade Seniors, Juniors, Sophomore, and even Freshmen.
This year’ theme was “immigrants”, celebrating our roots...which is perfect being in New York there's a cultural blend of people from all over. What better way to show off your skills as a chef in training than to show off your culture.
As chef Geoff once said “What you eat is who you are”.
History of “Restaurant day”
“Restaurant day” was started some 9 years ago by chef Geoff Tulloch. Geoff has been a successful caterer, Restaurant cook and now a culinary instructor at Food and Finance High School.
Chef Geoff trains the next generation how to cook and skills that go beyond the kitchen. He installs the application of both culinary and "Real World Knowledge" And ever since he's been teaching he has inspired many young chef's and alumni. Many alumni come back to visit because they remember the hospitable environment chef Geoff created for them while attending Food and Finance High School. He started "Restaurant Day' in efforts to shine light on the students who work hard year round and are interested in a future in the culinary arts industry... This is how "Restaurant Day" was born.
The menu
In efforts to showcase everyone’s roots Chef Geoff, the other chef instructors and our Junior class have decide on items from each culture we think best reflects ourselves. We as Juniors came up with the recipes and Chef used those recipes to organize them into a menu. I personally made and oversaw the Beggar's chicken (pork and veg. filling, the chicken and the dough plus egg wash for shine), I also prepped most of the other dishes and helped micromanage.
We used:
French baguettes and crusty roll breads and root vegetables (for table decor)
Menu: Showcase 2017 1. Italian Tuna and Shaved Fennel Sandwich with Black Olive Paste Italy
2.Fruit Topped Pavlovas
France
3. Roasted Cauliflower with Panko and pine Nuts
Italy
4.Crepes
France
5. Muhammara with Vegetable chips
Syria
6. Ma Lai Gao
China
7. Herb Falafel with Parsley Hummus
Israel
8. Rum Mango Bread Pudding
Jamaica
9. Beggar’s Chicken Qi Gai Ji
China
10. Jamaican Jerk Pork
on Hard Dough Bread Jamaica
11. Puerto Rican Pernil
Puerto Rico
12. Chicken and Bean Burrito
Mexico
13. Mushroom and Bean Burrito
Mexico
14. White Peach Iced Tea 15. Oxtails w/Mashed Potatoes
Jamaica
16. Basil Lemonade 17. Ackee and Codfish Pizzettes
Jamaica
18. Sorrel
19. Cipâte
Quebec, Canada
20. Mango Gazpacho
21. Tourtière w/ Maple Sugar Quebec, Canada
22. Red Beans w/ Rice Acadia
23.Pepper Steak
China
24. Sofrito Chicken w/ Tostones
Puerto Rico
25. Piri Piri Chicken
Africa
26. Spicy Korean Meatballs Korea
27. Pork Chops with bacon and onions
German
28.Tostones
Africa
29. Plátanos Maduros
Africa
Last year there was an exception made for one up and coming chef (Sophomore), that student was me... cheftobe Jahqyad Austin. Chef Geoff picks people based on a range of things including daily behavior, people helping out in our visiting chef program, speed, listening/ willingness, culinary skills and more. For Chef Geoff he doesn't focus on skills as much, if you meet the other requirements and have decent skills you may get chosen. Chef believes you can always gain skills while working with him but it’s a lot harder to teach things such as manners, and discipline over the short amount of time we have to prepare for the showcase. He’s a stickler for the rules, and for him when it’s time to work… it's time to work… but outside of working in class chef is a fun, loving, and a charmer.
What is culture? what are roots?
Culture can be commonly described as a group's makeup… where people are from affects the foods available, how they prepare that food, how it's eaten and beyond food the lifestyle of the people. As chef once said to me “ food transcends to all aspects of life. Culture at a basic level includes language(s), food, music/sounds, belief/faith(s), geography, natural resources and more.
Roots would be described as the base of culture, specifically where your family’s from or where you’re from city, state and country.
Who was there?
Restaurant owners /Restaurateurs
Food network, media personnel
Culinary agency
Reed Alexander (American actor and healthy-living advocate) He's best known for his role as “Nevel Papperman” from Nickelodeon 's iCarly
Lazarus Lynch “Son of a southern chef” (successful blogger, food stylist and and media personality)
Shania Thomas
(The first ever teen chopped champion/ Food and Finance high school alumni and CIA alumni)
Jahqyad austin aka "Cheftobe" Caterer, Artist, and Entrepreneur Founder of Gloabalarts and the Cheftobe brand
AND MANY MORE
Prep work Image Gallery
Challenging moments
Normally in the previous year of the event was scheduled and we would have 2- 2 ½ weeks to prep everything. The hardest part of this event was the time span In which we had to make all of the dishes. We had about 10 days of prep time for this years event, meaning we had to work very efficiently and have strong communication to get everything finished in time.
The outcome
We finished strong and the event was a huge hit.
Shoot outs go to:
Chef Geoff Tulloch, savory
Chef Holiday, pastry
Chef Burgos, savory
Chef Peggy, pastry
Chef Vera, savory/ “visiting chef” chef
Chef Andy, visiting chef
Food and finance principal-
chef Roger Turgen
Junior Students
“Cheftobe” Jahqyad Austin
“Chef for the future” Jaylen Downer
Washington Cabadiana
Steve Gutierrez
Chelsey Burgos
Baja Wilson
Milton Gonzalez
Steven Witlock
Kenneth Ortiz
Selena Tom
Serina Rodriguez
Alyasa Garcia
De’je Torres
Brittany De La Cruz
Nia Hyacinthe
Andrew Rodriguez
Abraham Rodriguez
Ana Quintero
Eileen Maldonado
Imoni Edwards
Infinity Williams
Jahnya Wright
Kevin Ramirez
Kimberly Delgado
Kortney Whitted
Trinity Clemente
Victoria Harvey
Jada Madeam
Kenny Rodriguez
Aaren Clemente
Stephon Odom
Tadeya Daley
and more!
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