Achievement. How does one define it?

Achievement

How do "you" define it?  How many times have you heard the phrase "just the cook?" It's the people that makes our trade what it is, not what the trade makes of us.  One of our very own has made his mark at the top of the culinary world.  I'm proud to announce that my very good friend, CPO1 Bill Pratt, CCC, MMM, (ret'd) has toppled yet another milestone in the Food Service world.  Even though retired from the service, he is the very first Canadian Forces Cook to take on the challenge of Iron Chef America in the role of Sous Chef to Chef Michael Smith, battling it out with Iron Chef Bobby Flay.

Our trade has succumbed to many hurdles over the years, but here is a prime example of what one can overcome and achieve to be the best of the best.  To all those starting out, this is the ultimate of example of what "you" can accomplish as a Cook in the Canadian Forces.  The sky is the limit, and you would be the only one holding yourself back.

CPO1 Bill Pratt (ret'd) has been and continues to be a prominent "hands on" advocate promoting the Cook's trade of the CF to the world.  Many talk the talk, but Bill walks the walk and promotes his passion of cooking & our trade to all he comes in contact with.  If you were one the fortunate to work along side Bill at one time or another as I was, you'd be hard pressed not to get swallowed up by his enthusiasm, or lust for the next challenge.

Myself, after 10 years of retirement from the CF have recently reconnected with my old friend, and he has included me in his next incredible adventure.  If you didn't think you could top Iron Chef America, Bill has landed himself one of the top jobs at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics as Executive Chef of Whistler's Athletes Village!  That truly puts a positive emphasis on our trade.  A retired CF Cook at the top of the world, for all the world to see.  He has generously included me in his adventure and secured me a kitchen supervisor role in Whistler.  So there you have it, 2 retired CF Cooks making a difference at the Greatest Show on Earth.

You can catch Chef Bill Pratt and Chef Michael Smith battling it out in Kitchen Stadium with Chef Bobby Flay on the Food Network on 31 Jan 2010 at 9PM Eastern Time.  Check your local stations for other times.  You can also check this link for times in your area;

http://www.foodnetwork.com/iron-chef-america/flay-vs-smith/index.html

You also might want to check out a great little interview with Chef Michael Smith on Good Food Revelation talking about Bill, Iron Chef America and the 2010 Olympics at; 

http://goodfoodrev.com/0102/michaelsmith.htm


Watch for and keep up to date our blog, Bill & Mike's Olympic Whistler Adventure and we'll keep you informed daily of what happens behind the scenes of the 2010 Olympics!        Do You Believe?

Yours in Food & Wine,

Mike

We now have real time Olympic Photo's on our Blogsite

This past Nov I travelled to Whistler for menu testing and site Reccee. In our slide show you will see actual photo's of the inner workings of the kitchen and diningroom during construction. Click on the photo in the slide show so you can read the caption underneath. I must have received a hundred E-mails in the past 2 days from everyone congratulating Mike and I, and we Thank you all for your support. Two more sleep and the adventure begins for me.

Bill

Olympic Photo's are coming

I asked Mike if he could set us up a Blog site so everyone can follow the Olympics daily from a Chef perspective with a "Behind the Scene" look at what it takes to feed upwards of 70,000 meals a week during peak periods.

Although we have a slide show already on this blog site with Olympic photo's, Mike and I will start posting our own photo's of the Olympic village and kitchen site as soon as we can. Enjoy the site.

Bill