I am active in facilitating major events with the local French-American community that promotes French cuisine and culture, in cooperation with the Alliance Française, the French-American Chamber of Commerce and other associations.
These activities include high-end galas featuring French cuisine as well as citywide competitive events such as the Concours de Tartes aux fruits, which draws chefs from throughout the city to celebrate the techniques and creativity of tartes. I have also organized D-Day commemorative dinners, involving the leaders who have restored the Lafayette Escadrille Monument in Paris.
In the past 3 years, I have also coordinated presentations of French Cognacs, hosting visiting CEOs from France to come share information about their products and the culture of their region of France. I have also been involved in consulting with French-connected wineries in the Willamette Valley and participated in FACC networking events that brought other French winemakers, chefs, and business people together.
Honors & Awards
2014, Oregon Chef of the Year, Oregon Beef Council
2005, Chef of the Year, Académie Culinaire de France
2004, Ambassador of France, Chevalier de l’Ordre du Merite Agricole | Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit
2001, Best Chef, Northwest / Hawaii, James Beard Award (Nominee 1998, 1999, 2000)
