J.D. Thomas, Certified Executive Chef at Northwest Culinary Institute in Vancouver, Wash., was honored by the ACF Chefs de Cuisine Society of Oregon as 2011 Chef of the Year at its 52nd annual awards dinner.

Thomas, 56, helped build curriculum at Northwest Culinary [...]]]> NORTHWEST CULINARY INSTITUTE’S J.D. THOMAS NAMED CHEF OF THE YEAR

J.D. Thomas, Certified Executive Chef at Northwest Culinary Institute in Vancouver, Wash., was honored by the ACF Chefs de Cuisine Society of Oregon as 2011 Chef of the Year at its 52nd annual awards dinner.

Thomas, 56, helped build curriculum at Northwest Culinary Institute when the culinary arts and hospitality management school opened in 2004. Thomas has worked in the restaurant industry since age 14, and his resume includes restaurant ownership and 12 years as an instructor.

The Chef of the Year trophy has been annually awarded since 1960. Among its winners are some of the most notable chefs in Oregon and southwest Washington, including greats Horst Mager, Franz Popperl and Greg Taylor.

“To be included in that group of people touches my heart. I’m among some of my idols on the trophy over the years,” said Thomas, who has been previously nominated for the award.

Only past Chef of the Year winners can vote for the award winner. Thomas said he considers winning this award as a lifetime achievement for service, skills and participation in the restaurant industry.

Chef Thomas has been an integral part of Northwest Culinary Institute since its inception in 2004.  He has taught many students who have gone on to become well known chefs at various hotel, restaurants, retirement centers, etc., according to Arch Miller, President and CEO of International Air Academy, Inc., the parent company of the culinary institute.

Thomas graduated from Western Culinary Institute in 1988, and also has a bachelor’s degree in Business from Concordia University. After working in the restaurant field for several years, Thomas came back to Western to teach courses for five years. Thomas, who is an expert on wines, has been with Northwest Culinary Institute since it opened in 2004. Thomas has taught thousands of students during his culinary education career.

The ACF Chefs de Cuisine Society of Oregon is a non-profit chapter of the American Culinary Federation, established in 1950. Membership is made up of chefs, purveyors and students dedicated to the profession of food preparation, hospitality, fine dining, competition and certification.

Thomas says he gets to keep the 2½-foot trophy until the 2012 awards dinners.

“I think I’m going to polish it up a little bit, show it a little love and keep it in the main office here at the Northwest Culinary Institute,” Thomas said.

The Northwest Culinary Institute is a division of the International Air Academy, Inc. of Vancouver and offers culinary courses at its Vancouver campus.

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