South Salem High School Culinary Students Featured at Guy Fieri's Portland Roadshow

December 12, 2009 — Portland, OR

Food Network sensation Guy Fieri’s Road Show came to Portland this week as part of his national tour, featuring Australian flair bartender Hayden Wood, along with food, rock n' roll, and everything they won't let him do on TV!

Acting as prep chefs and servers on stage, students from the 2009 Oregon State ProStart Culinary Champion South Salem High School were invited to assist Fieri’s team in a once-in-a-life time adventure mixing culinary skills with the Food Network’s filming of Fieri’s program for later national broadcast. Lead by South Salem ProStart instructor Todd Wieweck, the 2009 Oregon state champion team were also brought on-stage during the program to the delight of students Amanda Nill, Kiana Medina, Jonathon Brink, Brandi Hamamoto, Terrin Davis, and Rina Lorentz.

"This was a great experience for the team – a mixture of nerves and laughs – that was capped by Guy’s words of encouragement and support for the entire team," noted Wieweck. "Guy is a strong proponent of the ProStart program, and for the South Salem team to be able to work with him, and be a part of the program expected to be broadcast nationally on the Food Network in coming weeks, was something these students won't forget!"

Jami Scott, ORA ProStart program manager, and program assistant Sue Smith helped coordinate South Salem’s involvement with Fieri's team in the weeks leading up to the December 12th Portland program. "December has been a great month for Oregon ProStart! The live event came on the heels of a Food Network airing of "Guy Fieri's Top of the Class", filmed at the 2009 National ProStart Culinary and Management Championships; which also featured the team from South Salem who brought home a 6th place ranking in the National Culinary Competition." noted Scott.

Hotel deLuxe in Portland contributed complementary room nights so the team wouldn’t have to travel back to Salem after the show, preparations for which started at 3:00 p.m., and didn’t conclude until after mid-night with the final clean-up.

To get a sense for Fieri’s Road Show, view this YouTube presentation at his web site.