Portland Observer. April 20. 1963 F ags 9
Everyday People
bv Larrv Baker
Born and raised in Switzerland in
the German section. Rolf Gurtner’i
parents spoke French and German
and were of the working class. Upon
tra d u a tin e from hiah school, his
wish was to become a fashion de
signer, but his mother thought it
would be too feminine. She played
an active role in his decision to be
come a cook.
A fte r yearn o f hard work as an
apprentice, he learned to appreciate
the masterful act o f conquering the
trade and by the age o f 26 his name
became well known as a dinner chef
throughout most of the finest res
taurants Europe could produce.
Rolf Gurtner, today, at the age of
37. brought his class and his talents
into Portland’s black community.
Gurtner has named his restaurant,
located at 517 N .E . Killingsworth,
"H igh Society."
Gurtner, during his youth, classi
fied himself as a bookworm. History
was his main subject and American
history was his best. He loved read
ing the wild west stories and de
termined if he ever had the oppor
tunity, he would fulfill his dream of
seeing America. But before reaching
America, his culinary trade carried
him throughout H ollan d , France,
Spain, Yugoslavia, East Germany
and South Africa.
" In Europe those with the best
reputations in the culinary circle are
Swiss cooks, so this was an asset to
my madness to travel," says G u rt
ner. " I knew if I learned my profes
sion and trade exquisitely, I would
eventually reach the shore o f the
‘ Land of the Free and Home of the
Brave.’ "
Rolf Gurtner was given his chance
in 1974 to work in Montreal, Can
ada and he knew then, that it would
only be a matter o f time before his
dream would be fu lflle d . It was in
1976 that Gurtner was called upon
to be the head chef in Seattle at the
Space Needle Restaurant. Then his
trade carried him to the Benson Ho
tel in Portland.
After a few years Gurtner decided
to become self-employed and
opened his own restaurant in Bea
verton. Immediately it became suc
cessful and popular for its dishes.
Shortly after that success, Gurtner
introduced his style o f cooking to
the black com m unity by opening
High Society.
Gurtner believes in the 17-hour-
a-day habit he has placed upon him
self. He also believes courtesy to his
customers seasons their meals and
comes number one on his menu.
Five years ago, Gurtner met his
present w ife, W ynona, a black
woman with a very religious and
stable background. It was at this
Judge denies
second trial
Circuit Court Judge Philip Abra
ham denied the request for a new
trial by Robert Fentress, who was
convicted for the murder of Carolyn
W illiam s on U nion Avenue last
June.
Defense attorney Wendell Birk-
land asked for a new trial based on
finding a new witness who said she
saw Ms. W illiam s arguing with a
heavy set man who did not fit Fen
tress’ description. Fentress was con
victed in the testimony o f a witness
who identified him as the man he
saw in the vicinity of the killing.
Judge Abraham indicated that he
did not believe the new testimony
would change the outcome o f the
trial. Fentress has been sentenced to
life in prison.
4»
FOR ANNOYING
COUGH MO
STUFFY NOSE
TRY
iraärj' TRIAMINK-OM
COUGH FORMULA
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FOR MINOR ITCHES
AND RASHES.
point that R o lf’ s need fo r travel
stopped
Wynona, a graduate of Jefferson
High School in Portland, obtained a
degree in History at Whitworth Col
lege in Spokane, Washington. A l
though their backgrounds and life
styles were d iffe re n t, their love
climbed all the barriers. Today, Wy
nona spends her time helping her
husband at High Society, directing
the choir at Emanuel Pentacostal
Church and raising their year-old
daughter.
High Society has brought a touch
o f class to the Albina community,
which has never been found in fine
foods before. For instance, one may
order R o lf's specialty for b reak
fast: Om elette with shrimp and
mushrooms or omelette prepared
with smoked salmon.
R O LFQ UR TNER
For lunch Rolf’ s masterful touch
in his one man kitchen can produce
a filet mignon with crablegs and
mushrooms, and always with fresh
vegetables, salad and soup of your
choice.
He loves to brag of High Society’s
dinner, which he named the " C a r
petbagger.*’ Il's a New York steak
lopped with oysters.
" I feel I have something to offer
my com m unity, which I now call
home, because my wisdom in foods
can cross any boundary in lif e ,"
says Gurtner.
So 17 hours a day you can find
Rolf Gurtner living out his dreams
in the little kitchen in the restaurant
with a very warm and pleasant at
mosphere called " H ig h Society.”
I t ’s located on N .E . Killingsworth,
just o ff Union Avenue.
" Y o u can only give three things
to make people immediatly happy,"
claims R olf Gurtner, "sleep, a kiss
good night, and food. I have chosen
the latter and enjoy it."
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