DA HONORABLE WILLIE L. BROWN JR. GETS PRIMED & PREPPED!

 

The Speaker Was In The House

We were delighted that Mayor Brown joined us to bring awareness about the importance of the Tourism Industry in San Francisco and how Primed & Prepped is a vehicle to entry level jobs in this industry.

Our added bonus was having award-winning broadcast journalist and author, Belva Davis who made history in 1966 when she was hired by San Francisco, California’s Channel 5, KPIX-TV, becoming the first female African American television news reporter on the West Coast.

Belva moderated the panel that consisted of Casey Neuburger, Human Resource Director at Hotel Nikko and the Chair of the P&P Advisory Board, Debra Higa, Director of Human Resources, Westin St. Francis, Lahrul Hayden, Inaugural P&P student, and Aleja Cobarruviaz, recent P&P graduate.

Before introducing Brown, Kelly walked down memory lane telling how she met him in 1990 when he was Speaker of the Assembly and from then on, he became an integral part of her career. She was his makeup artist while he was in office for 2-years.

It's official, Mayor Brown is Primed & Prepped with his personalized Chef Coat!

After his talk, Takija Gardner, Bayview YMCA Executive Director, honored Brown by presenting him with the Bayview YMCA Community & Public Service Award.

Chef Yaku, Program Chef and Food Network All Star and the Primed and Prepped students prepared the delicious appetizers that included Caprese skewers with pesto, chicken kabobs, garlic bread, meatballs, fruit salad, meat board with crackers and olives and a dessert table

YUMMY!!

Chef Yaku's Assistant, Chef Izzy  was also on hand sharing baking points with the students.

Our partners at Bi-Rite generously donated delicious cheese platters, thanks Sarah Arndt.

Kudos to Casey,  Debra, and Kevin Carroll , Executive Director, Hotel Council ( missing  from photo) for making this event happen

Man Kim, Owner Lori's Diner and Sears Fine Food and a P&P program funder expresses his positive sentiments about why he stays involved with the program, put simply he's helping to change lives! Thanks, Man Kim

Rob Twyman, Regional President Wholefoods Market-Northern California & Reno. Wholefoods Market has done quite a bit for the P&P program providing funds for scholarships, catering supplies and started a P&P Internship program.

Doris Broussard, Grand Parent, and P&P Administrative Volunteer.  Doris spoke on why she became a volunteer with the program as her granddaughter Sonte Rollins, recent P&P graduate listens intently.

Tristen Ellington, P&P Inaugural student attends Sonoma State University, making time to give back to the program. 

Judy Lepe, P&P Volunteer, Chef Kevin Tucker, Flynn Bradley, Manager of Office of Employment and Community Partnerships at San Francisco Airport, Kelly, Demetrius Durham, Workforce Development Director at Bayview YMCA and Casey Neuburger

David Shaw, Director of Communication & Marketing, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy,  Kelly and Mikael Wagner, Principal at Promotions West, P&P Fundraising Volunteers

Mildred Blackmon, P&P supporter, Kelly, and Nati Ramirez,  Owner Don Ramon's Mexican Restaurant, and P&P supporter. Nati, you always said you would make it to one of our events and you did. What a great surprise it was! 

Jackie Wright, Publicist with Wright Enterprise and Belva. Thanks Jackie for securing Belva as our Moderator.

The Primed & Prepped Students 

 Are Why We Do What We Do!

Take a look at the following photos highlighting the students as they prepared for the evenings event. You will notice the teamwork, the smiles, the focus and attention to detail that is necessary while working in the kitchen.

Each student has a role and responsibility and they get right to it.

Great to see graduates coming back time after time helping out and giving back

Is that a Cell Phone I see in her hand?  That's a definite NO, NO!

Friendships develop over the years like with these two Alums both at the Fairmont Hotel

Chef Yaku  is somewhere behind the scenes making sure  everyone is on schedule

For those of you that missed Aleja on the panel speaking, you missed out. 

Alumni student Isaac with his Grandmother who absolutely loves Primed & Prepped.. Isaac, thanks for  your continual support of the program and giving back!

Is it ready?

Mayor Brown, A Hit with P&P Students

Mayor Brown made it a point to take out time to be with  the P&P students

Mayor Brown enjoyed listening to Aleja as a panelist was impressed with her confidence

Isaac is our tech savvy student as you can see him sharing something here with Mayor Brown

Primed & Prepped Program 

September 19, 2017 - May 10, 2018

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

4:00 pm-6:30 pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PRIMED & PREPPED  CONTACT KELLY ARMSTRONG AT THE BAYVIEW YMCA (415) 822-7728 OR EMAIL KARMSTRONG@YMCASF.ORG.

Bayview YMCA's Primed & Prepped 2nd Annual Iron Chef Competition!

Celebrating Culinary Excellence! The 2nd Annual Iron Chef was a live showcase of Primed & Prepped student's culinary skills as they sous chef for four chefs from selected San Francisco hotels. Held at San Francisco City College Culinary Kitchen in Chinatown

 Let's meet the Chefs!   

Chef Berlin Lillard, P&P Instructor, Bayview YMCA. Chef Berlin
has also worked with the American Heart Association teaching youth and the community how to cook and
eat healthy to help reduce the chances of stroke, heart attacks, diabetes, and obesity.

Jesse LLapitan, Executive Chef, Palace Hotel. Jesse's unique blend of cuisines and use of the
finest seasonal ingredients developed a signature menu with fresh California flair that is
exclusive to the Palace.

Kevin Kacprzak, Senior Banquet Sous Chef, San Francisco Marriott Marquis.
He started at a BBQ shack and learned to appreciate the art of BBQ and smoking. Southern & Low
Country food became his passion and is still a major influence on his food.

Chef Marcelo Salinas, Executive Chef, Park Central Hotel. Chef Salinas' love for
food and his appreciation of new world cuisine has been incorporated into his unique style
of cooking. His style was developed in his early childhood growing up in one of the most diverse
neighborhoods of Queens, New York.

Michael Raub, Executive Chef, Hotel Nikko San Francisco.
From the moment he set foot at Hotel Nikko, Chef Raub's energy, influence, and personality began guiding
the culinary team to a higher level of quality. The positive changes are illustrated in the high-quality
cuisine he presents and most notably, the creative menus he designs.

 Meet The Judges

Honorary Judge, Mayor Ed Lee, Supervisor Malia Cohen, Chuck Collins CEO YMCA, Colin Johnson, Department Chair, San Francisco State University Hospitality and Tourism Management Program, Kevin Carroll, Executive Director, Hotel Council, Man Kim, Owner, Lori’s Diner, and Ron Ng, Chef Instructor, City College of San Francisco Culinary Arts &Hospitality Program, 

Noah Griffin, Program Master of Ceremonies. 

Noah Griffin is the founder of the Cole Porter Society dedicated to introducing young people
to the genre of the Great American Song Book through the genius of Cole Porter.

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT IRON CHEF?

Not only was it a Competition but a learning experience for the student's
being mentored by seasoned professionals, This is Khristian, an inaugural student
that came back to help the team. He attends City College and is working at the Marriott as a Concierge Intern.

Lahrul is also an inaugural P&P student that came back to help out the team.
He attends the Culinary Program at CCSF and works at the Fairmont Hotel

Rickey is another inaugural P&P student that has a desire to become a Chef. He not only
assists as the Intern Kitchen Lead in the program but has also recruited four new students to the program. He works
as a Chef Intern at the Fairmont

The Hotel Chefs were so serious about this competition. It was a real teaching moment
for the P&P students. Angel is excited about the skills he's learning!

My students were so confident showcasing their culinary skills...look at my other Angel!

Can we just say FOCUSED! Darion worked as a Busboy
at Sears Fine Food during the winter break

During the event, I noticed that the Chef's really enjoyed  working
with the students as they infused a little humor along the way.
Micah, mixing away with that smile on his face.

These guys took a moment to pose for the camera...what a great shot!
P&P student Sydney loves giving the peace sign in photos!

Chef's are very passionate about their food...they aim to please!

Our Chef Berlin was in his element surprising everyone with
his New Orleans style Frog Legs and Gumbo!

MEET THE "DREAM TEAM"

Let's meet some of the incredible people that assist with
Field Trips, Internships, Mentoring, Fundraising and so much more.  Starting on the left is
Rashaida Nirobe, Workforce Development Consultant, The Lillith Group, Julie Fallon,
Director of Human Resources, SPHR, San Francisco, Marriott Marquis, Casey
Neuburger, Human Resource Director, Hotel Nikko and Kevin Carroll, Executive Director,
Hotel Council. (Missing are Michele Gaul, Regional Director of Human Resources, Fairmont Hotel,
Debra Higa, Area Director Human Resources, Westin Hotel, John Bernier, Area Director of Human
Resources, San Francisco Bay Hilton Hotel, Emanuel Brueh, Director Human Resources, Park Central Hotel
and Julio Fernandez, Director  Human Resources, W San Francisco)

Supervisor Malia Cohen presented each of the Advisory Board Members with
a Certificate of Honor recognizing their support to the Bayview YMCA's Primed &
Prepped Program

Mayor Lee assisted in the presentation of the Certificates!

MEET SOME OF OUR 

P&P PARENTS  AND OTHER GUESTS!

YUM! A FEW OF THE 

COMPETITION DISHES

PRECIOUS MOMENTS!

Mayor Lee and Ron Ng, Chef Instructor, City College of San
Francisco having a moment while P&P students stood
close by. I was reviewing the scorecards to find out who would be
the next Iron Chef!

The students enjoyed hanging out with the Mayor taking selfies and laughing a lot!

Mayor Lee is officially Primed & Prepped

 I had a moment to pose for the camera with two of the Dream Team members! How do you like
my look? It is my tribute to Miss Robbie of Sweetie Pies. I love that lady!

AND THE WINNER IS....

(They were all winners in my book)

Team  Nikko are the 1st Place winners!

 Team Marriott

 Team Park Central

Team Palace Hotel

BAYVIEW YMCA TAKES THE IRON CHEF CHALLENGE

Follow the link to see the KTVU TV 2 Newscast about the Iron Chef Competition

Join us next year in February for the 3rd Annual Iron Chef Competition!

Primed & Prepped Program Summer Session

 June 1 - July 28, 2016

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

10:00am-12:30 pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PRIMED & PREPPED  CONTACT KELLY ARMSTRONG AT THE BAYVIEW YMCA (415) 822-7728 OR EMAIL KARMSTRONG@YMCASF.ORG.