Chef Cindy Wolf hosted a behind-the-scenes tour of Charleston Restaurant for a group of 22 City Springs students on January 16th.
The tour began with a cooking demonstration. Chef Wolf prepared a salad and gave students the recipe so that they could recreate the dish at home. Students learned about all of the ingredients and the proper way to work in a kitchen.
Chef Wolf talked about the importance of discipline in cooking and how she is the general of her kitchen. When she gives an order, her chefs must follow directions without "rolling their eyes" or complaining.
"Your teachers have gifts to share," said Chef Wolf. She encouraged the students to respect their teachers in order to receive these gifts.
We learned about a type of expensive beef that comes from cows that drink mostly beer and receive regular massages; why cooking shrimp with the heads on creates the tastiest sauce; and how soda from glass bottles tastes better.
After the tour, everyone sat down for a fine lunch of salad topped with baked chicken, corn bread, and cookies for dessert. The students' manners were impeccable throughout the entire meal.
As we lunched, Chef Wolf continued to answer students' questions. She shared stories of her culinary career, including the time she had the opportunity to prepare lunch for Julia Child.
After lunch, we bid Chef Wolf farewell and returned to City Springs with full bellies, full minds, and happy hearts.
We would like to thank Chef Wolf and her staff for their wonderful hospitality and for providing such an amazing experience for our students.
About Chef Cindy Wolf
Executive Chef & Co-owner, Charleston
A 2006, 2008 & 2014 James Beard Foundation finalist for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic, Chef Wolf's cuisine is backed by French fundamentals and grounded in preparations that emphasize the natural flavors of the very finest regional products.
Charleston is an American Academy of Hospitality Sciences Five-Star Diamond award recipient, a Forbes Four-Star award recipient, and AAA Four Star Diamond Award recipient. The restaurant is recognized by Zagat for best food and service and has been rated the #1 restaurant in Baltimore by Baltimore magazine year over year.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Wolf has received notices in Food Arts, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, The Washington Times and The Washington Post. She has appeared in cooking segments on major local, national and cable television stations.
Wolf is business partners with Tony Foreman in their other restaurants which can be accessed through www.foremanwolf.com.