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Chef Instructor, Scott Baker |
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Growing up in the heartland, I developed an appreciation for farm fresh ingredients at an early age. Long before working in a restaurant, I knew what good food was. This was cured by the aromas in the kitchen as my mother prepared dinners and special bakery for the holidays. My passion for the professional culinary arts was further nurtured when I began working in restaurants at the age of 16. Already a practicing artist in oils, watercolor and clay, these mediums provided a developed eye and finesse for the creative manipulation of food. On my journey to mastery (which continues today), I tackled increasingly challenging work as I quickly moved from bussing tables to Executive Chef of a private city club in my home city of Waterloo, Iowa. It was there that I realized I would need to learn the fundamental skills needed to continue moving upward in culinary mastery. I was encouraged by my wife to attend the best culinary school regardless of cost, to receive a top-notch education. The Culinary Institute of America is the premiere cooking school in the country and indeed delivered what it had promised, the fundamental skills, and equally important, reference point for quality. During my apprenticeship at the Pinehurst Hotel in North Carolina, I learned what high volume, fine cooking was. Upon graduation in 1998, I worked at the well-respected resort, Mohonk Mountain House in the Shawangunk Mountains in upstate New York. |
In December of 2000, I started at The Osthoff Resort as Executive Chef. Since that time, I have continued to seek out and advance my cooking skills by competing in local competitions, attending various classes, workshops and seminars, such as: The World Pastry Forum in Las Vegas and most recently a chocolate techniques class hosted at The Chocolate Academy. While overseeing the pastry kitchen at The Osthoff Resort, I also teach the fundamentals of European cooking and baking at L’ecole de la Maison, our cooking school dedicated to food enthusiasts. My goal is to be a resource for the home cook who desires to create fabulous cuisine by developing the skills, understanding and confidence of a culinary professional. Come join us at L'ecole de la Maison! ~Chef Scott Baker |