YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 16, No. 43
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Local chef enters world competition by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
When local chef Robert Rose takes the stage next month at the World Food Championships (WFC) in Orange Beach, Alabama, he’ll be one of the few self-taught competitors, and he believes that his passion will give him an advantage over his fellow contestants. “I’m one of the very few chefs that aren’t classically trained,” said Rose. “I’m a selftaught cook. The way I cook is I really truly hold my heart on my sleeve. Because of the passion, everything is done in that dish. Once it leaves my kitchen, it’s done. That’s it. I’ve given it my all. “ Rose, the owner of the Byron Inn Cafe and part-owner of the recently opened Vin Alegro in Discovery Bay, got his start cooking as a youngster growing up in Napoli, Italy, and became more serious about it when he arrived in the U.S. “I came here to the states
Robert Rose, owner of the Byron Inn Cafe and part-owner of the recently opened Vin Alegro in Discovery Bay, is heading to Alabama next month to compete in the prestigious World Food Championships.
Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District aims to reduce response times amid a variety of other goals in the next five years, according to recently released details of the agency’s draft specific plan. The document, released last week in hopes of garnering public feedback at a Nov. 14 community workshop, outlines the district’s proposed goals, strategies, vision, values and mission. “We want everyone to be actively engaged and understand exactly where we are as an agency,” said Fire Chief Brian Helmick. The five preliminary goals
when I was almost 18 years old,” said Rose. “ ... I’ve cooked in some of the best kitchens in the Bay Area. It’s all I know how to do. I just love it. I can’t see myself doing anything else. I’ve always had a passion for cooking. It started at a young age, but here in the states, it was just a natural thing to get into. I tried doing
other things, but I always went back to cooking.” Originally intent on attending Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco, another chef advised Rose to save his money and get real-world experience instead. Rose followed that advice and has now been in the business for more than 20 years. Rose said
“ Today we are already not adequately
protecting the residents we have, and that is a problem. That is what we are trying to correct.
” ECCFPD Fire Chief Brian Helmick
are to reduce response times; ensure financial stability and sustainability; maintain a highperforming workforce; modernize stations, apparatus and equipment; and transfer fire prevention services and inspections from the county to the district. Potential basic strategies to meet each goal are identified in the plan, but precise steps to im-
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plement each strategy, along with associated costs and the length of time for each to be accomplished, are still being determined, said fire board member Joe Young, chair of the district’s finance subcommittee. Crafting of the proposed five-year outline, to be updated every three years, began in April last year and derives from stake-
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More Than A Cup Of Joe
It’s a haven of swirling aromas, but Big House Beans is about more than coffee. Page 8
Fat, Fat The Water Rat
Photo by Tony Kukulich
he caught the competitive cooking bug after meeting chef Jodi Taffel, a successful competitor known as the Bacon Babe of Pasadena. That interest ultimately led Rose to the WFC. “WFC is the largest and most challenging cooking comsee Chef page 34
Fire district outlines future plans by Kyle Szymanski
October 26, 2018
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holder interviews, surveys and workshops, fire board retreats and the guidance of a hired consultant. The document is slated for fire board adoption in December with implementation in January. “(The consultant is) going to develop, in conjunction with the staff, some action plans to implement each one of the strategies, and the action plan will have a schedule, cost and any special resources that are needed to achieve it,” said Young. One of the plan’s biggest potential goals is to increase resources – a glaringly obvious need. The agency, which covers 249 see Fire page 34
Halloween Fun www.thepress.net/news/webextras
The Pleasanton Harvest Festival will ring in the Halloween weekend on Oct. 26.
Officials hope to eradicate the prodigious nutria wreaking havoc along the Delta. Page 6
Historic Win For Liberty
Liberty football team defeats Pittsburg 24-21 to secure first league title since 1985. Page 23 Calendar................................35 Classifieds.............................29 Cop Logs................................33 Elections..................................9 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................28 Opinion..................................22 Pets.........................................15 Sports.....................................23
For The Troops
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Congressman McNerney kicks off Holiday Cards For The Troops program.