Berkshire Culinary Arts Program Announces Fall Community Dinners
GREAT BARRINGTON - Railroad Street Youth Project has announced the schedule for the sixth term of its acclaimed Berkshire Culinary Arts Program, offered in partnership with Pearl's Restaurant and The Red Lion Inn.RSYP, a youth empowerment organization located in downtown Great Barrington, MA, supports the creation of youth-generated activities that promote responsibility, self-worth and intergenerational respect and communication. RSYP is a 501c3 youth center that offers a drop-in center, mentoring and apprenticeship programs, a small business incubator and is driven by a youth operational board.
The Berkshire Culinary Arts Program, begun in winter 2006, allows youth from throughout South County to work with area chefs for professional culinary training. The series of six weekly sessions end with three weeks of community dinners overseen by guest chefs working with the students to prepare gourmet meals for the public. The final dinners at Pearl's Restaurant have become sold-out events.
"The culinary dinners are true community events," RSYP Executive Director Lannie Moore says. "Teenagers, parents, teachers, chefs, food-lovers, business executives, and town leaders gather at the communal tables and share exquisite meals prepared by the partnership of generous restaurants and local youth."
The culinary program dinners will be held October 27, November 3 and 10, 2008. Passed hors'd oeuvres begin at 6pm with the four- course dinner seatings at 6:30p for each dinner at Pearl's in Great Barrington.
The dinners are hosted by guest chefs who offer their expertise and varied cooking styles to the students. Chefs are selected from local and regional restaurants who focus on local foods. Daire Keelin from Brix in Pittsfield and potential New York and Boston celebrity chefs will lead dinners this season. Reservations can be made by calling Pearl's at 413-528-7767 or online at www.pearlsrestaurant.com.
Several graduating students have gone on to work in local restaurants and attend professional culinary schools. One program graduate, Kevin Volk, appeared on The Food Network show Bobby Flay's Grill It! this summer after producers heard about the Berkshire Culinary Arts students and invited them to apply.
RSYP started the program three years ago as a pilot project with Pearl's and has developed into a multi-faceted apprenticeship program with an advanced level class offered at The Red Lion Inn. Pearl's Executive Chef Creighton Peet and Red Lion Inn Executive Chef Brian Alberg play a hands-on role overseeing and facilitating the program.
"The culinary program is one of my favorite parts of my job and one of the most important ways we work with the community," Alberg says. "It's a great way for us to help train young people important skills that they can use."
"The classes are a great way for businesses and young people to work together," says Brian Killeen, executive director of the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. "It's exactly what we need to do as a community for our economy and for our young people. Plus, the meals are great."
Calendar listings for October and November:
October 27 - 6pm Berkshire Culinary Arts Program Community Dinner at Pearl's Restaurant in Great Barrington.
The Culinary Arts Program is an eight-week after-school program for youth ages 14-25 facilitated by executive chefs from Pearl's and The Red Lion Inn and sponsored by Railroad Street Youth Project. Students learn basic culinary techniques and present a series of three final dinners under the direction of local celebrity guest chefs. Call Pearl's at 413-528-7767 or online at www.pearlsrestaurant.com to make a reservation for any of the dinners. Tickets $50/pp.
November 3 - 6pm Berkshire Culinary Arts Program Community Dinner at Pearl's Restaurant in Great Barrington.
The Culinary Arts Program is an eight-week after-school program for youth ages 14-25 facilitated by executive chefs from Pearl's and The Red Lion Inn and sponsored by Railroad Street Youth Project. Students learn basic culinary techniques and present a series of three final dinners under the direction of local celebrity guest chefs. Call Pearl's at 413-528-7767 or online at www.pearlsrestaurant.com to make a reservation for any of the dinners. Tickets $50/pp.
November 10 - 6pm Berkshire Culinary Arts Program Community Dinner at Pearl's Restaurant in Great Barrington.
The Culinary Arts Program is an eight-week after-school program for youth ages 14-25 facilitated by executive chefs from Pearl's and The Red Lion Inn and sponsored by Railroad Street Youth Project. Students learn basic culinary techniques and present a series of three final dinners under the direction of local celebrity guest chefs. Call Pearl's at 413-528-7767 or online at www.pearlsrestaurant.com to make a reservation for any of the dinners. Tickets $50/pp.
