Texas Restaurant Association Southwest Food Service Expo and Robb Walsh

On Sunday, June 27, I had the opportunity to attend the Texas Restaurant Association Southwest Food Service Expo.  The show runs for three days, but I could only attend on Sunday.  While there, I stopped and visited with the Russel and Linda from the Texas Beef Council. 
Much to my surprise, I found out that one of my favorite cook book authors, Robb Walsh, would be signing his cookbooks at the Texas Beef Council booth.  In fact, I was told that Robb had just arrived and was on his way to the booth.  While I own most of the books that Robb has written, I could not resist waiting and meeting this fine author.  What a treat! 
After a brief but nice conversation, Robb was kind enough to pose for a photo with me (Robb is on the left).  And, by the way, as a native Texas who grew up in south Texas, I heartily endorse the book that Robb is holding in the photograph.

As always, the TRA EXPO had many sites and sounds.  There were old friends to see.  New products and foods to taste as well some favorites to sample again.  Overall, it was a good show and time well spent. 
Check out Robb's books.  They are well written and contain a great deal of anecdotal information that is helpful in understanding why a dish works or how it came about.
Until next time.

Happy Eating

Chef Bartosh
281.756.3949
chef@alvincollege.edu
http://www.alvincollege.edu/culinaryarts/

Enrolling at Alvin Community College

Many of the common questions I get revolve around the enrollment process: what do I do?
Well, the answers to the seemingly complicated process are actually pretty simple.
So........

1. 
At this time of year, if a student is planning on starting in the fall semester the first thing I urge a student to do is to apply for federal financial aid on line; they need to complete the FAFSA  Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  The application process, when done on line takes about three weeks from the time the student completes the application to when the results are known.
The FAFSA can be found at the following URL:  http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
The process is straight forward, ( I do this every year with my daughter over the phone.  I will say it helps me to have the form up so I can read the questions.).
the results of the FAFSA are used for student loans and in some cases qualify a student for some types of grants.

2. 
Fill out the College's application.  It can be found online at: 
https://app.alvincollege.edu/Admissions/Intent/Index
I have not filled this one out but presume it is also straight forward.

3. 
Have official copies of any transcripts from high school or any previous college classes forwarded to Alvin Community College.  This allows our academic advisors to review your information and determine if any form of placement testing is required.  Any student entering into a 2 year degree in the state of Texas needs to complete the THEA test.  the THEA test is designed to prove that a student can function in the ares of reading, writing and math at a college level.  The need for Placement testing may be waived by appropriate scores on the TAKS exam, SAT or ACT scores.  If you already have completed previous college level classes in reading, writing and math your scores may also negate the need for placement testing.

4.
If you need placement testing visit with our academic advisors to determine the type of testing available and times.  You must complete placement testing regardless of whether you are entering the degree or certificate programs.

5. 
I urge students to order their uniforms early.  I do have clean uniforms that students can try on for size.  The uniforms can be purchased through the college store.

6. 
The only supplies that a student needs that are not carried in the college store are a set of measuring spoons and measuring cups.

If I can be of any assistance in this process please feel free to contact me.

Until then: Happy Eating
Chef Bartosh
http://www.alvincollege.edu/culinaryarts/default.htm

visitor flag counter

The internet is an interesting thing.  It did not exist in a form that was usable by the normal person twenty years ago.  But now, in two decades time, it has in ways, made the world into a global community.  When I am researching food online I can find, access and translate websites in other countries from the comfort of my desk, at Alvin Community College.  Wow!  I don't know how else to describe this access to authentic information about a subject that near and dear to me, food.

Because of this global access to food information, I decided to add a visitor flag counter to the Alvin Community College Culinary Arts blog.  I think, and hope, that it will show many visitors from all around the world. 

We are truly a global community even if we do not speak the same language or subscribe to the same religious beliefs.  We are a global community that is bound by the love of food and love of our fellow man.  Rejoice in your love of people by cooking something good and nourishing for those who are close to you and those you do not know.

Happy Eating
Chef Bartosh
http://www.alvincollege.edu/culinaryarts/

uniforms and knife kits

The standard uniform for the Alvin Community College Culinary Arts Program is as follows:
white double breasted long sleeve chef jacket with pearl buttons
check cook pants
white full bib apron
white skull cap
non slip shoes
For the convenience of our students all of these items can be ordered through our book store.
I do have clean uniforms that students can try on for size before ordering.
If you are interested in doing this, let me know so we can set up an appointment to do so.
The knife kit used in our program is also available through the book store.  They normally have this item on hand and do not need to order it.

I hope this information is helpful.
Please let me  know how I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Chef Bartosh
Happy Eating!

fall schedule of classes

The Alvin College culinary arts program offers most of its classes in an eight week mini-mester format.  This means that students will normally register for classes two times during both the fall and spring semester.  Our software will not allow students to register for classes in both mini-mesters at one time.
To help students understand what they need to register for I have pasted in a copy of our schedule of classes for the fall 2010 semester.  You will note that some classes are highlighted in yellow and some in green.  These classes occur during separate mini-mesters.  The yellow classes in mini-mester 1 and the green classes in mini-mester 2.
A typical student entering our program in fall of 2010 without any credits will register for and take all of the classes highlighted in yellow during mini-mester 1.  When mini-mester 1 is about 1/2 way through registration will be opened for mini-mester 2 at which time the student will register for the classes highlighted in green.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance.

Chef Bartosh
Happy Eating!