Ben Vaughn
Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College in Chattanooga, will welcome Food Network TV star Chef Ben Vaughn to its campus Thursday. Known for his no-nonsense approach to restaurant kitchen reality as host of the Food Network’s television show “Health Inspectors,” Mr. Vaughn will speak with students and share his experience as a chef.
That evening, he will direct Culinard students in preparing a four-course dinner featuring Maple Leaf Farms Duck. The event will be held at the Virginia College campus at 721 Eastgate Loop Road.
The VIP Dinner with Mr. Vaughn will be from 7-9 p.m. For tickets, at $55, call 893-2000.
“We are honored to host Food Network TV star Chef Ben Vaughn at our campus as he imparts his culinary knowledge and real-world experience to our students and Culinard alumni,” says Culinard Program Instructor Chef Andrea Cagle. “Chef Ben is a story in success and an exemplary culinary professional, sharing the message that inspires hard work, dedication and belief in oneself. Our VIP Dinner will provide students with the opportunity of working with a world-class chef.”
Mr. Vaughn has wrangled snakes from dining rooms and chased rats from cellars while hosting the hit show “Health Inspectors” on Food Network. Like the restaurants he helps revive on the show, Mr. Vaughn has seen struggles and successes throughout his career. Now, he travels the country as a teacher and delivers messages not scripted but live. Along with hosting the highest-stakes food competition on the planet, The World Food Championships, he is also developing a new television series that will air in the spring of 2014.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with the students of Culinard at Virginia College about the lessons I’ve learned and the mistakes I’ve made along the way,” says Mr. Vaughn. “These soon-to-be chefs are the leaders of tomorrow’s culinary world, which is why it’s essential to ensure they know the importance of learning the basics now. Succeeding in this industry takes time, diligence and hard work – you have to learn how to tie a chicken before you can open your own restaurant.”
He has shared his discoveries, as well as the passions and insights they’ve inspired, in the conception of multiple restaurants, two television shows, a production company HitSho Media and soon to be released book. Mr. Vaughn will also be the host of the World Food Championships this November in Las Vegas.
For more information about Culinard, Mr. Vaughn or the World Food Championships, visit www.culinard.com, www.foodnetwork.com/shows/ben-vaughn/index.html or www.worldfoodchampionships.com.