CHARITY
THE GUEST CHEF SERIES
PREPARATION, PASSION, AND PANCETTA
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assion comes in many forms, and when united in community support, it is a force that promotes positive change. The 8th Annual Guest Chef Series to support Family Services of Tulare County brought together a passionate cuisine, a chef with a passion for creating it, and a group of people with a passion for helping others. “I’ve never done anything this big,” said Chef Ryan Lucas of The Chef's Table and Glick's & Co., when asked what it means to be a part of an event that has such a positive community T E X T
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Chef Ryan Lucas of The Chef’s Table and Glick’s & Co.
impact. “I’m thankful and humbled by the opportunity,” he continued. Ryan admits that he was initially overwhelmed by the idea of preparing food and hosting a cooking demonstration for such a large crowd. After having just over 250 community members in attendance last year, the 2016 Guest Chef Series tipped the scale at 300. But once he became more comfortable with the idea, any anxiety turned to organization and focus. Few people get to witness behind the scenes of such an important event. “It’s R I C E
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an organic process,” said Caity Meader, executive director of Family Services. Caity adds that some years the group has chosen a chef and then decided on the theme. This year, they settled on the Italian theme and then went looking for a chef. Expertly trained in Italian cuisine, they found the perfect fit in Ryan. The planning is no simple affair. Weeks before the event, the Family Services food committee, wine committee, Chef Ryan Lucas, and caterer, Chef David Vartanian of The Vintage Press in Visalia, began meeting to discuss the details. S A
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