The Culinary Institute of America

Olive Oil in the Plant-Forward Kitchen Interview Series: Rafi Taherian, Yale Hospitality

In this interview, Rafi Taherian discusses including extra virgin olive oil in hospitality cooking, and maximizing its value within a challenging budget. 
Rafi Taherian ’95 is associate vice president for Yale Hospitality. Rafi believes that campus dining operations can be a testing ground for positive and pragmatic change. He has forged collaborative partnerships within Yale University and in the food industry that have created a benchmark reputation in dining services for one of the most prominent institutions of higher learning. Since 2008, he has guided the continued development of Yale Hospitality’s sustainability initiatives and robust culinary concepts by merging principles of a healthy, plant-based Mediterranean diet with an operational approach that promotes regionally-based and sustainable food systems. Yale Hospitality serves more than 15,000 meals per day with a staff of 840. Rafi’s organization is comprised of three operational divisions with shared business and administrative support and an annual budget of $55 million. Before joining Yale, Rafi was the executive director of dining at Stanford University. Prior, he held various management positions in the hospitality industry. As an undergraduate, he studied architecture at Università Iuav di Venezia in Italy and later earned a hospitality degree at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Rafi has received numerous awards for his vision and leadership, including the Food Service Director of the Year award in 2013, the Illuminating Excellence and Leadership award from Premier (one of the industry’s largest procurement organizations) in 2014, and Yale University’s Seton Elm-Ivy Award in 2016. That year, Rafi was also awarded both the Silver and the Gold Plate Awards by the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA). (New Haven, CT) – master bio doc July 2018.
This recipe and video were produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service, thanks to the generous support of the International Olive Council.
Learn more about olive oil at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen 

Olive Oil in the Plant-Forward Kitchen Interview Series: Naama & Assaf Tamir, Lighthouse

In this interview, Naama and Assaf discuss using olive oil to elevate dishes by creating great flavor profiles, as well as the role of olive oil in Middle Eastern and Israeli cuisine.
Naama Tamir was born and raised in the city of Rehovot in Israel, and moved to New York in 2000 after her mandatory Israeli Defense Force service. Naama studied philosophy and psychology at Hunter College while moonlighting in the hospitality industry. In 2011, along with her brother-partner Assaf Tamir, they opened Lighthouse, a socially and environmentally progressive restaurant. In August 2016 they opened their second location, Lighthouse Outpost. Naama is a producer for the Umami Food and Art Festival, chair of sustainability practices and green initiatives for BaBar, and contributor to the No Free Lunch sustainability platform. Naama also consults for the Fair Kitchens Initiative, and contributes to the James Beard Foundation Impact Program.
This recipe and video were produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service, thanks to the generous support of the International Olive Council.
Learn more about olive oil at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen 
 

Olive Oil in the Plant-Forward Kitchen Interview Series: Ana Sortun, Oleana Restaurant and Sofra Bakery

In this interview, Ana Sortun discusses the versatility of olive oil, how she approaches olive oil as an ingredient, and the role of olive oil in Spanish cuisine. 
Ana Sortun is the executive chef and co-owner of Oleana Restaurant and Sofra Bakery and Café, in Cambridge, MA. She is also the co-owner of Sarma Restaurant in Somerville, MA, which is modeled after a Turkish meyhane or meze restaurant. Ana, a native of Seattle, graduated from La Varenne École de Cuisine de Paris in 1989 and opened her restaurant, Oleana, in 2001, immediately drawing rave reviews from the New York Times. She was named Best Chef: Northeast by the James Beard Foundation in 2005 for bringing Middle Eastern flavors into the mainstream through her passion for Turkish cooking, spices, and her husband’s (Chris Kurth of Siena Farms) fresh, organic vegetables. A 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and, most recently, a 2020 James Beard “Outstanding Chef” semi-finalist, among her many accomplishments, solidifies her as a leader in the industry.  She is the author of two cookbooks—Spice: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean (William Morrow, 2006), and Soframiz: Vibrant Middle Eastern Recipes from Sofra Bakery (with Maura Kilpatrick, Ten Speed Press, 2016). 
This recipe and video were produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service, thanks to the generous support of the International Olive Council.
Learn more about olive oil at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/olive-oil-and-the-plant-forward-kitchen 

Baked Sweet Potato stuffed with Goat Cheese, Roasted Red Grapes, Walnuts and Thyme

This baked sweet potato stuffed with goat cheese, roasted red Grapes from California, walnuts and thyme is vegetarian comfort food. Your guests will love the combination of creamy, whipped goat cheese, sweet-tart roasted red grapes, and savory walnuts.
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service for Grapes from California.
Get the Baked Sweet Potato recipe here!

Chimichurri Chicken and Green Grape Skewers with Green Grape Chimichurri Sauce

These Grilled Chicken & Green Grape Skewers are served with a vibrant green grape chimichurri sauce. Adding Grapes from California to the skewers provides a juicy taste and texture to complement the spiced chicken. Chimichurri is an herbaceous sauce that originated in Argentina, and is now beloved the world over. Grapes are a fabulous carrier for these flavors and add body to the chimichurri.
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America for Grapes from California
Get the Chimichurri Chicken recipe here!

Spicy Green Grape Margarita

For a refreshing margarita with a twist try this Spicy Green Grape Margarita! To make this drink, Chef Toni Sakaguchi from The Culinary Institute of America blends frozen green Grapes from California and jalapeños. She then rims the margarita glass with chili-lime seasoning and adds a garnish of frozen green grapes, a lime wedge and a slice of jalapeño. It’s fruity sweet, tart, spicy, and refreshing and sure to be a hit on your bar menu!
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America for Grapes from California.
Get the Spicy Green Grape Margarita recipe here!

Peanut Butter Toast with Maple-Pepper Bacon and Caramelized Red Grapes

Here’s a fun new take on peanut butter and jelly: Peanut Butter Toast with Maple-Pepper Bacon and Caramelized Red Grapes! Roasting Grapes from California caramelizes their natural sugars, intensifies their flavor, and makes them almost jam-like. Adults and kids alike will enjoy this fun, sophisticated take on PB&J—perfect for breakfast or brunch service!
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service for Grapes from California.
Get the Peanut Butter Toast recipe here!

Oatmeal with Granola, Maple-Roasted Red Grapes and Fresh Green Grapes

This upgraded oatmeal bowl is topped with crunchy, seedy granola, maple-roasted red grapes, and fresh green grapes for a pleasing burst of flavor and texture. This dish is packed with fiber, whole grains, and antioxidants. The Maple-Roasted Grapes from California add sweetness, depth of flavor, and color to our dish, while the green add bright flavor accents. Your guests will love this comforting, delicious, and beautiful breakfast bowl.
This video was produced by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service for Grapes from California.
Get the Oatmeal with Granola recipe here!