Team Yellow: K’aijha Gomez – CAPA, David Wilson -Propel Mountour, Chef Jess Rattanni – Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, Chef Claudy Pierre – Arnold’s Tea House, Bonnie Varas – Sto-Rox High School.
Team Blue: Aidan Davison -City Charter High and Nia Thames – Sto-Rox High School prepare their final dish in the Steel Chef program
Team Red: Chef Zach Mitcham – Ohio Valley Hospital, Kaleo Rodriguez – Central Catholic High School, Chef Jackie Paige-Heidelberg – Love Rocks Cafe, Elliot Escalante – City Charter High School
Take a look at our Steel Chef Program!
Jess’s Mushroom Shepard Pie
Tom’s Stuffed Cabbage
What is Steel Chef?
Steel Chef is an annual live cooking competition/training program that will take place in the spring. The goal of Steel Chef is to provide teens the tools and education they need to improve accessibility to prepare healthier foods while simultaneously teaching them some entry-level skills needed to work in restaurant kitchens and give exposure to careers within the restaurant industry.
Fundraiser
Proceeds from competition ticket sales will help to provide and expand future after-school and summer programming for youth in the McKees Rocks area. An added bonus: You’ll be building friendships, positively impacting lives, and have a few more kids looking up to you as a role model.
Who can apply?
TEENS!!!
We are currently recruiting teens from around the Pittsburgh Area for this 10-week training program that includes hands-on training and field trips. See workshop details below.
TEEN TRAINING PROGRAM
Our weekly Sous Sessions will feature field trips to local restaurants and/or hands-on cooking demonstrations from our chef mentors. Teens will learn to work in a commercial kitchen.
WHEN: MONDAYS 4 pm – 6:30 pm (Beginning Jan 7).
ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS:
What does participation mean?
- Apply in November/December
- 12 students will be selected
- January 7 instruction will begin on-site at the Ryan Arts Center. Each chef will lead instruction on Mondays.
- Teen teams will make a group visit to local restaurants for a meal and exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of kitchens as an introduction.
- Monday, March 18th – Steel Chef Cook-off
- Job Opportunities upon completion
- Students are required to attend all 10 workshops
WHO IS ELIGIBLE & HOW DO I APPLY?
Who is eligible? Any teen in the area that is interested in learning more about the culinary industry. Teens 14 – 18 who can commit to 10 weeks of Monday workshops and 2 weeks of competitions. The program runs January 7, 2019 – March 18, 2019.
How to apply? Steel Chefs are selected through an application process. Just fill out this google form or stop in for a paper application. Our staff will respond to applicants and hold interviews in late November/December 2018.
TIMELINE
- NOVEMBER 8: recruitment to surrounding schools begins.
- DECEMBER 17: Junior Chef application period closes at 5 pm.
- DECEMBER 19: 4 pm – 6 pm interviews after school at Ryan Arts Center, 420 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks 15136
- DECEMBER 21: Jr. chefs sign contract to attend all 10 mandatory sous session workshops, field trips, cook-off rehearsal, and Steel Chef Cook-Off Competition.
If you would like an outreach at your school or an event, please contact Tess at tdejong@forstorox.org.
COMPETITION
Join Focus on Renewal, Ohio Valley Hospital, and Sustainable Pittsburgh for the culinary competition of 2019! We’re inviting you to join us on Monday, March 18, 2019, to watch a group of Pittsburgh teens and local chefs as they battle it out chef-style on the stage at the Ryan Arts Center to determine who has what it takes to win the title of “Steel Chef”.
How does the Steel Chef Competition work?
Groups of 3-4 teens will be paired with two chefs for competition teams. Training will take place throughout January-March. Teens will work with chefs to develop the necessary basic prep and sous chef skills to complete before a live studio audience at the Steel Chef Challenge on Monday, March 18th, 2019.
Winners of the coveted “Steel Chef” title will be rated and determined by local celebrity judges at the event to be held at the Ryan Arts Center theater in McKees Rocks.
OUR CHEF MENTORS/COMPETITORS:
Claudy Pierre: Chef Claude is the owner of Arnold’s Tea and the Director of Hospitality of Eminent Hospitality Solutions. This is his 2nd year being a Steel Chef!
Keyla Cook: Chef Keyla is the owner of Casa Brasil. She just recently opened her restaurant, since participating in Steel Chef last year!
Zach Mitcham: Chef Zach is the Dietary Coordinator of Ohio Valley Hospital. In his spare time, he loves to woodwork!
Natalie DeiCas: Chef Natalie is the owner of Everyday’s A Sunday Cafe in Garfield. She used to be a high school counselor!
Jess Rattanni: Chef Jess is the executive chef of Jambo Grill in the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium as well of the zoo’s catering kitchen. In October, Chef Jess won the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch contest twice!
Jackie Page-Heidelberg: Chef Jackie is the owner of both Jackie Kennedy Catering and Love Rocks Cafe. In 1982, she was voted Miss Congeniality in Miss Black Teenage Pageant Pittsburgh!