Fresh Start dinner helps program debut

The benefit dinner features a three-course menu of Oaxacan (whah-hock-an) cuisine created and prepared under the direction of Kathy Watson. The former chef and proprietor of Nora’s Table Restaurant, Watson earned praise for menus that explored and celebrated an array of international flavors.

Watson recently spent two months in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, which is widely respected for its indigenous ingredients and savory preparations. During that time, she studied with local women and a well-respected chef in the use of traditional ingredients and preparation of traditional dishes.

The March 11 dinner will be prepared by Fresh Start staff chefs Rainbow Trosper, Matt Patterson, Board Chair Watson and local volunteers.

The menu includes: cacahuates (peanuts) with chili de arbol and roasted garlic; memelitas with black beans, queso fresco, chilito; chicken in black mole, herbed rice, tortillas made from Oaxacan heirloom corn; pineapple empanada dulce, coconut tamarind nieve.

Dinner includes beers donated by local breweries and non-alcoholic aqua frescas.

The event starts at 6 p.m. Friday, March 11, in the Pioneer Room at the church, 317 State St., Hood River. Diners may enter from either State or Sherman streets.

Cost is $50 per person. Seating is limited, so early purchase is encouraged.

Tickets can be purchased from Brown Paper Tickets through a link at freshstartculinaryarts.org or by calling Fresh Start at 541-399-6929. Fresh Start Culinary Arts is an independent program to provide a 12-week intensive training program for people interested in cooking careers. In addition to helping students gain skills, the program aims to help fill the dozens of kitchen jobs that go begging for qualified applicants each year in the four-county Columbia Gorge region.

Chefs Matt Patterson, formerly of Rack & Cloth in Mosier, is the program’s chef instructor. Rainbow Trosper, from Boda’s Kitchen in Hood River, will be the program administrator.

Fresh Start Culinary Arts Program is a not-for-profit program launched by Riverside Community Church, geared for unemployed and underemployed Gorge youth and adults that sets them on the path to a family-wage job in commercial food endeavors such as restaurants, hospitals and schools. The 12-week curriculum was developed by the successful L.A. Kitchens program in Los Angeles. Fresh Start is also seeking catering and other food service contracts. The program, located at Riverside Community Church, will have access to the Pioneer Room and sanctuary of Riverside Church for on-site events.