2009 May Newsletter

Chef's Chef Spotlight Chef Paul Folkestad

Instructor - Culinary Arts Courses Bachelor of Arts, Journalism – University of Oregon Diploma, Culinary Arts - Western Culinary Institute

After graduating from Western Culinary Institute, Chef Folkestad’s culinary career began as a Sous Chef at Portland’s Zefiro. With his education and training, Chef Folkestad then started his own catering company in 1992. He also combined his skills as a food writer, and he currently administers WCI scholarships, writes for the school’s culinary newsletter, and runs the Catering Club. Chef Folkestad joined the faculty at WCI in 2003.

Chef Paul Folkestad is our 2005 Instructor of the Year. Chef Folkestad didn’t develop his career as an educator until after professional work in both journalism and cooking. After achieving a journalism degree at the University of Oregon, he attended Western Culinary Institute and earned his diploma in Culinary Arts in 1991. As he explains, “My coming-of-age happened in 1990 when I joined the staff at a Portland restaurant. My training at Western Culinary Institute and my work at the restaurant enabled me to start my own catering business in 1992.”

In addition to industry experience in owning a catering business, Chef Folkestad combined his writing talents with his culinary knowledge to write for a local magazine. He returned to WCI as an employee in 2003, where he has since taught both in the class-room setting and in the kitchens.

Chef Folkestad writes a blog for Chefs.com.
Read his latest blog posts:
Musings on College, Bolognese and Slow Food
Farm to School Seminar a Success in Portland
Top 7 Traits of Successful Chefs

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