Smoke Signals 7
OCTOBER 15, 2006
Local Chefs Place Third In Competition
By Toby McClary
Tribal member Manuel
Diaz recently participat
ed in the National Culi
nary Super-Challenge in
Orlando, Florida. The
event took place over the
weekend of September 8
10. The team took third
place overall and scored
enough points to earn a
gold medal.
Diaz currently works as
a Line Cook in Legends
Restaurant at the casino.
He accompanied Food and
Beverage Manager Toby
TenEyck and Executive
Chef Richard Burr to the
culinary challenge as the
"Chefs of the West," the
team name. Diaz has
been cooking for about
six years.
The team had five hours
to prepare a four-course
meal for 55 people, said
Diaz.
"Everything has to be
timed perfect," said Diaz.
overcooked."
After the meal was prepared and the food was sent out the door to the
judges, the team was hopeful.
"We were satisfied and very confident," said Diaz. "It's always good
when you have a certified Master Pastry Chef giving you tips."
Diaz was raised in Phoenix, Arizona and attended the Scottsdale Culi
nary Institute. He said that he became interested in moving to Oregon
when his mom, Tribal member Denna Diaz, moved here.
"I started checking into the restaurants in the area and found that
Legends wasn't too shabby," said Diaz.
Diaz has worked in Legends for two years and explained that his ulti
mate goal is to one day open his own restaurant. As far as I can tell, his
future looks bright. He is scheduled to cook in the "Chefs Night Out" at
the casino later this month and will participate in the "Mayor's Ball" in
McMinnville. B
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Tribal member Manuel Diaz
"And it has to be held right so that it isn't
Spirit Mountain Casino & Lodge
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A bird's eye view of Spirit Mountain Casino earlier this summer.
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