Bonnie Thoreen, dean of the Upper Valley Campus, Armond Phillips, interim college president; Tom Andrews, college trustee representing Calistoga, and Sue Nelson, vice president of Instruction, welcomed the graduates and guests. They also expressed the pride that the late Dr. Chris McCarthy had in the school. Other members of the college Board of Trustees attended including Bruce Ketron and Brenda Knight.
Executive Chef Barbara Alexander, Chef Instructor Laura Lee, and Chef Krista Garcia all expressed pride in the class. Garcia also shared history, expressed deep affection and respect, and noted the many contributions made by the late Belle Rhodes to the school. Featured speaker was Chef Adam Busby, certified master chef and director of Education, Culinary Institute of America.
Katie Lazar was the Class of 2009 valedictorian who spoke and added a "pinch of salt" to recognize each of her classmates.
Scholarships were awarded to honor American Canyon residents Jody Pfaff, the American Institute of Wine and Food Scholarship; Patty Ramos, the Belle Rhodes Scholarship, and Jeannette Webber, the Orange County Wine Society Scholarship.
In addition to the valedictorian and scholarship recipients, graduates included Taylor Carnes, Mardel Castro, Matt DeFio, Patrick Engelmeier, Benjamin Maude, and Jadda Miller. Aidan Dutra and D. Keith Pace are graduating pending completion.
The students completed externships at Insalata’s Restaurant, San Anselmo; Universal, Sydney, Australia; Poleng Lounge, San Francisco; Johnnie’s Restaurant, Chico; AKA Bistro, St. Helena; Mustard’s Grill, Yountville; Della Fattoria, Petaluma, and Tra Vigne, St. Helena, among other locations.
A champagne reception was held prior to the ceremony. The luncheon which followed graduation was prepared by the new class and was held in the school’s organic garden.
The college trustees sent flowers for the ceremony in appreciation to the students and staff of Napa Valley CookingSchool who provided desserts for the reception held following the Oct. 23 memorial for Dr. McCarthy.
For more information on Napa Valley Cooking School, see