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Chef Timothy Tucker worked at several great restaurants around the U.S., even as a research chef creating processed foods. But he found himself unfulfilled with the work, and he set out to find something more meaningful. In 2005, he developed a culinary training program for the local Salvation Army chapter.
Since launching the 10-week training program in 2005, 70 students have graduated, many of whom are employed in local restaurants. Nearly five years later, and after coverage in USA Today and on CNN, the program is getting some much needed help from some of Louisville's best chefs during a Feb. 6 benefit dinner to support the Salvation Army's Center for Hope.
The culinary cadre includes Anoosh Shariat (Browning's Restaurant and Brewery) Dean Corbett (Corbett's: An American Place, Equus and Jack's Lounge), Kathy Cary (Lilly's), Jim Gerhardt, (Limestone Restaurant and The Oakroom), Peng Looi (Asiatique and August Moon), and Daniel Stage of Louisville Country Club.
I asked Tucker what it felt like to have that kind of group lending a hand.
"Remember watching the Dream Team at the Olympics, with Magic (Johnson) and (Larry) Bird? That's what I think of these people," he said. "I'm glad that my course goes out first, because going behind those chefs would be like following Van Halen onto the stage."
Should you go, consider yourself an investor in the area's needy. Sure, that's a high price tag for dinner, but the cost of training these folks is $30,000 a year. I'm amazed, frankly, that he does it for that little.
"Seven months ago we were scratching our heads trying to figure out how to get the funding to keep this program going," Tucker said. "I hope we can raise a substantial enough amount to keep us going while."
Despite the struggle to find capital, Tucker remains positive about program's future because he's seen the results.
"To see these guys go on to the next level after being here, I can't think of anything that I've done that's been more rewarding," he said. "I've gotten letters from people in Texas and Illinois who want to be part of the class. That shows that we're doing something important, something that people want to be a part of."
The dinner will be held at the old Park Place restaurant at 401 E. Main St. Cost is $225 a head, including tax, tip and wines. Call 896-0464 for reservations.
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Chef Timothy Tucker (left) with a student at the Center for Hope.
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ADD A COMMENT
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Steve Coomes
fri jan 29 2010
at 11:14 am
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But I'm pretty sure the aforementioned CNN and USA Today beat them to it by many months.
This story is not a new one, but no one locally gave it much notice, which is a shame. After attending a dinner put on at Winston's by Tucker and his students last year, I, as a freelancer, pitched it to some local publications, but none was interested. |
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