2009 Culinary Arts class, at The Red Lion Inn
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - On November 16, at The Red Lion Inn, Railroad Street Youth Project will celebrate the conclusion of its fall 2009 Culinary Arts class. Now in its sixth semester, the Culinary Arts program has introduced over 50 young people to the culinary field in a practical, hands-on way. The program gives participants an advantage in the restaurant industry should they choose to pursue a career in the culinary arts.Led by The Red Lion Inn’s Executive Chef Brian Alberg, the graduates of RSYP’s introductory class gain first-hand experience in menu design and food preparation. Alberg, who graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, has overseen a number of high profile kitchens in the Berkshire area, made several appearances at the James Beard House, and has been Executive Chef at The Red Lion Inn since July 2004.
For the November 16th event, Alberg will work in conjunction with invited guest chefs Daire Rooney of BRIX Wine Bar and Brian Ruffner of Gedney Farm to lead the students for the final dinner. All chefs who participate in the program donate their time and special ingredients for their dishes and work alongside the students in the kitchen. As a result of the chef/student collaboration, the dinner is always expertly executed and enjoyed by all in attendance.
“The Fall 2009 Culinary Arts program is off to an awesome start. The participants are very eager to learn and we are expecting some great things this year. I am very excited to be working with such a worthwhile program!” said Marla Robertson, the new RSYP Mentoring Programs Director.
Tickets are on sale now for the final dinner which takes place at 5:30pm on November 16th at The Red Lion Inn and will feature a five-course meal, passed hors d’oeuvres and a graduation for the students. Ticket price is $100/person, which includes wine, and may be reserved by calling The Red Lion Inn at 413-298-5545 or www.redlioninn.com.
As an additional fundraiser for the program, RSYP will conduct a raffle drawing at the dinner for a one-week stay for 6 at a house in Provence, France. Raffle tickets are on sale now at RSYP for $30/each or 4 for $100.
RSYP's Culinary Arts program has been featured on Good Morning America and Bobby Flay’s Grill It. The class is broken down into 8-week courses and runs twice a year. The program is open to young people ages 14-25 at no charge. The winter semester begins February 8, 2010, and enrollment efforts are underway.
Railroad Street Youth Project is a youth empowerment organization based in Great Barrington which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in May 2010. RSYP supports the creation of youth-generated activities that promote responsibility, self-worth and intergenerational respect and communication. RSYP is a 501c3 youth organization that offers a drop-in center, mentoring and apprenticeship programs, a small business incubator and is driven by a youth operational board.
