Press

March 21, 2007
LOCAL CHEFS PREPARE TO SET SAIL WITH NAVY’S ADOPT-A-SHIP PROGRAM
Professionals Sought to Support Shipboard Culinary Training Program

(SAN DIEGO, CA) – Two chefs from Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino are preparing to embark on their second mission at sea to share their culinary insights with the United States Navy Culinary Specialists as part of the Adopt-A-Ship program.   The innovative program is designed to bring professional culinarians on board naval ships on a volunteer basis to boost food service experiences and provide continuing education in the culinary arts.   
 
The voyage will be the second for Barona’s Executive Sous Chef Alejandro Talledo and Commissary Kitchen/Room Service Chef D’Cuisine Tony Jimenez.  During their first three-day mission at sea on the USS Mobile Bay Naval Cruiser this past December, the duo conducted a series of classes for the ship’s 15-member culinary team covering topics such as knife skills, nutritional awareness and cooking techniques including roasting, grilling, searing, baking and sauce preparation.   
 
“With the support of everyone at Barona, we have been incredibly fortunate to participate in the Adopt-A-Ship program,” said Chef Talledo.  “The sailors receive a chance to learn some new techniques and we have the unforgettable opportunity to experience life on a Navy ship.”            
 
In addition to the leading the culinary classes, Chefs Talledo and Jimenez helped develop and oversee preparation of breakfast, lunch and dinner for the USS Mobile Bay’s crew of 360.  Their onboard pupils had an opportunity to test their new skills and served up hearty dishes that included grilled ham, French toast, and potatoes, fried chicken, roasted turkey, grilled vegetables, stuffed cabbage, cauliflower au gratin, and chocolate mousse cake.
 
"We are excited to see Chefs Talledo and Jimenez again and to have Barona's continued commitment to the program,” said Michael Harants, corporate chef and chef instructor with the United States Navy.  “The quality of instruction Barona’s staff is able to bring to the Navy culinary specialists is on par with what they do everyday for their own culinary staff."
 
The Adopt-a-Ship program began as a partnership between Naval Supply Systems Command and the American Culinary Federation in 1998, to provide training to the Culinary Specialists who may otherwise not have had the opportunity to experience industry practices.  The Navy is continuously seeking culinary professionals to volunteer their time and expertise to the program, which also provides those seeking employment in the food service industry with valuable skills when they move forward following their career in the United States Navy.
 
Blending the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas, the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, a 300,000 square foot casino, a lakefront wedding chapel, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center, and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek Magazine. For Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).