Food Professionals

Chefs Council

California Walnuts Chefs Council's mission remains simple, yet ambitious: to determine the necessary steps needed to transform the current American menu into one providing tasty AND nutritious options.

The 2011 Chefs Council meeting helped raise awareness of foodservice menu trends, changing consumer demands, portion control and the influence of the new 2010 Dietary Guidelines. Chefs who participated in the 2011 Chefs Council meeting had experience in fine dining, corporate foodservice, grocery, and catering. Their combined creativity, direct to consumer influence, and culinary background all create a unique perspective to influence American eating habits.

The Chefs Council discussion highlighted how simplicity and seasonality are key to great tasting menu items by discussing a wide range of food topics such as foodservice menu trends, portion control, consumer demands, and nutrition.

Mollie Katzen
Mollie Katzen

James Beard Cookbook Hall of Famer and one of “The Five Women Who Changed the Way We Eat”.

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Jeff Clark
Jeff Clark

Chef Jeff Clark, executive chef for Nugget Markets, started his culinary career as a teen, when his father and uncle taught him the art of homemade charcuterie and wine.

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Molly Hawks
Molly Hawks

Chef Molly Hawks, executive chef and co-owner of Hawks restaurant in Granite Bay, almost missed her calling in the culinary world. After spending years in pre-med training, her natural passion and enthusiasm for food inspired Chef Hawks to veer from following a career in the medical field to pursue one in the culinary world.

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Michael Tuohy
Michael Tuohy

Acclaimed Chef Michael Tuohy is a 31-year veteran of the restaurant industry and a leading proponent of the Slow Food Movement.

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Noah Zonca
Noah Zonca

The Kitchen’s Chef de Cuisine Noah Zonca is executive chef and owner Randall Selland’s protégé. Chef Zonca shares top billing with Selland, and he has been running the show both as head chef and master of ceremonies for over five years.

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Ian Farrell
Ian Farrell

Growing up surrounded by freshly baked goods at his parent’s bed and breakfast in Ireland, Chef Ian Farrell started baking at an early age and knew cooking was where his passion lay.

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Greg Higgins
Greg Higgins

Greg Higgins is an award winning chef and co-owner of “Higgins Restaurant and Bar,” a 2010 James Beard Outstanding Restaurant nominee.

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Ken Frank
Ken Frank

Ken Frank is the chef-proprietor of La Toque restaurant in the Napa, California. When Ken Frank learned there was an opportunity to build a new restaurant in The Westin Verasa, Napa, in the fall of 2008, he considered it a good omen.

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Jim Perko
Jim Perko

With 20 years of Healthcare experience, Chef Jim Perko CEC, ACC has a passion for creating the most delectable taste experiences for any conceivable diet, from vegan to a zero-fat, plant based diet.

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Charlie Ayers
Charlie Ayers

Chef Charlie Ayers, more commonly known as Chef Charlie, lives by the creed “eat, drink, and be merry.”

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