World-Class Chefs to Teach at Skills Center

Sunday, October 5th and Monday, October 6th, students in the Clark County Skills Center Restaurant Management/Culinary Arts program receive world-class instruction sponsored by the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Certified Master Chef Fritz Sonnenschmidt and Master Pastry Chef Paul Jean Prosperi will instruct students as part of the “CIA in the Classroom” project.

Chef Sonnenschmidt is one of only 46 Certified Master Chefs, the highest designation given by the American Culinary Federation. He spent 34 years with the Culinary Institute until retiring as Culinary Dean in 2002. He has also been a chef at the Piccadilly and Grosvenor Hotels in London, the El Dorado Shore and Yacht Club in New Rochelle, New York and the Sheraton Hotel in New York City. He won gold medals at the International Culinary Competition in 1976, 1984 and 1988. He is the co-author of The Professional Chef’s Art of Garde Manger and Dining with Sherlock Holmes. He is the third Certified Master Chef to visit the Skills Center, the first two being Brad Barnes and Edward Leonard.

Chef Prosperi is a Certified Executive Pastry Chef and instructor. He trained at the Piccadilly Hotel in London. He has been a Baking and Pastry Arts Professor and an Ambassador with the Culinary Institute of America since 1982.

Both will work with 2nd year students on Sunday and present back to back to all students on Monday.. Master Chef Sonnenschmidt will work with students Sunday to prepare for Monday’s classes when he will be presenting Western Beef Stew with Braised Sweet Potatoes and Bell Pepper Medley.

Master Pastry Chef Prosperi CAP,CHE, will teach plate presentation and offer

Raspberry Sorbet with Lemon Crème Tart.

In addition, chefs from the ACF Oregon Chapter’s Chef de Cuisine Society will observe alongside Skills Center students Monday. The classes are closed to the public.

For more information and media access including scheduling interviews and photo opps, contact Skills Center Chef Andrew McColley CEC,CCE (360) 604-1050/ (360) 521-1269 or Skills Center Catering Coordinator Robbin McColley at

(360) 604-1050/ (360) 901-5189.

Opened in 1983, the Clark County Skills Center is owned and operated by ten southwest Washington school districts providing technical and professional training programs that prepare Clark County high school and college students for the workforce.