Chef Jean-Marie Lacroix honored by education group
Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) Philadelphia Region brought in students to help with the tasting event
A long list of chefs have studied under Jean-Marie Lacroix, one of the city's most honored chefs from his years at the Fountain at the Four Seasons and Lacroix at the Rittenhouse. Lacroix is now chef-partner with Brûlée Catering.
Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) Philadelphia Region honored Lacroix Nov. 2 at the third annual "Ignite... Firing Up Tomorrow's Chefs" tasting event at Brûlée's location, Moulin at Sherman Mills.
Lacroix, his wife, Vivienne, and more than a dozen of Lacroix's disciples were joined by more than 200 community supporters to raise funds to support C-CAP, which provides scholarships, education, and career opportunities in the culinary arts to at-risk high school students. C-CAP works with more than 16,000 students nationwide.
Chef Georges Perrier introduced Lacroix while C-CAP presented him with an award recognizing his role in Philadelphia's culinary scene.
High school students enrolled in the Philadelphia Region's C-CAP program were paired with chefs to prepare a recipe on-site, such as searing the braised short rib at Brûlée Catering's station.
Chefs included Brûlée's Thomas McMullen, James Rodebaugh, Guillermo Veloso, and Kent Spriggs; Townsend Wentz, executive chef at Townsend restaurant; Daniel Stern, executive chef at R2L; Peter Scarola, pastry chef at R2L; Ligia Richter, owner and chef at Chugar Bakery; Lee Styer, chef at Fond; Martin Hamann, chef at the Union League; Fred Ortega, chocolatier and co-founder of Tradestone Confections; Chris Kearse, chef/owner of Will BYOB; Tony Clark, restaurateur and chef of the Lucky Dog Saloon; and Lynn Rinaldi, chef and owner of Paradiso restaurant.
Melissa Magee of 6ABC emceed.
Backgrounder on Lacroix is here.