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PETER LEHMULLER
Johnson & Wales University
By: Jim Kothe
Our speaker today was Peter Lehmuller, Dean of Culinary Education at
the Charlotte campus of Johnson & Wales University. “Chef” Lehmuller
was introduced by member Mark Norman, also of Johnson & Wales.
Peter Lehmuller is a renowned Chef and he certainly knew the recipe
for a successful Rotary speech! His formal remarks lasted only 15
minutes, leaving plenty of time for Q & A. His talk was one-part
“How I Got Where I’m At” and one-part about the culinary program at
Johnson & Wales. He also wisely sprinkled in lots of humor.
Peter has lived in Charlotte for a year and a half, moving here as
part of the “advance team” setting up the new University. He moved
here from Norfolk, Virginia, where he was also with J & W. Prior to
getting into the academic side, Peter had several years of “real
world” experience…he served as Executive Chef at several prestigious
country clubs across the country and was also the Chef for Governor
Mario Cuomo of New York.
Peter literally started at the bottom, working as a dishwasher in a
restaurant in Albany, NY, after college in the early 80’s. He had an
opportunity to cook, liked it and was good at it. He then applied
and was accepted to “The CIA” (Culinary Institute of America) in
Hyde Park, NY. This training opened several doors, eventually
leading to his position at the Executive Mansion in New York. While
Peter states that he has had “lots of luck” along the way, it is
obvious that he has always been a very hard worker. He says that the
opportunity to help start the Charlotte campus of J & W “has been
the greatest challenge and also the most rewarding experience of my
life.”
There are 650 enrolled in his culinary program: 45% are from North
Carolina and the class is almost evenly split male/female…quite a
contrast to when he was in culinary school, which was then dominated
by white males. Making a comparison with Rotary, Peter says that
their culinary program also has a very strong commitment to
community service. In fact, all students must complete a community
service requirement in the area of hunger or homelessness before
they can graduate.
When asked about when Charlotte would begin to “taste” the impact of
J & W, Peter said that to be realistic, it will take about 10 years
before the full impact is felt. He noted that while Charlotte is
certainly not currently on the level of San Francisco, Chicago or
New York, he said that “all the elements are here…Charlotte is
definitely an up and coming restaurant town.” It’s clear that under
Chef/Dean Lehmuller’s outstanding direction, his students will soon
be helping area restaurants “kick it up a notch.”
Head Table:
Rich Campbell, Gene Bratek,
Catherine Browning, Mark Norman, David Erdman, Biff Virkler
Visitors and Guests:
Michael Elder; Visitors & Guests: Rusty
Brink; Health & Happiness: Luther Moore; Song: Thomas Moore
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9/11 Scholarship
Golf Classic: |
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Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Raintree Country Club, 8600 Raintree Lane
Golfers sign-in, lunch, etc: 11:30 Shotgun start at 1:00
There WILL NOT be a lunch
meeting on 9/21/04
All Rotarians are invited to the dinner and festivities
beginning around 6:00pm.
DIRECTIONS: From Downtown
Charlotte, take Providence Road to Highway 51W and turn right.
Turn left onto Raintree Lane (approximately ½ mile down Hwy 51).
The clubhouse is about ½ mile on your right. |
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A warm welcome is extended
to new members BG Metzler, Pam
Meister, and Niels Olsen.
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Joe
Penner delivered special thanks to Charlotte
Rotary for their support and kindness to the people of
Medic, and looks forward to a successful tournament on
Tuesday.
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Ervin Jackson had a great article in The
Highlander (Cashiers and Highlands, NC) that discussed white
water rafting on the Chattooga River. “A whole new
generation has grown up without knowing the history and lore
of this unique river. It is time to reacquaint the
adventurous with the attractions of the Chattooga.”
þ
Ed
Lewis was among the guests at the Go Pink for
Blue Jazz Dinner on August 29th at Blue restaurant. The
fund-raiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
included a champagne reception and a jazz dinner show.
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Charlotte East Rotary will have its annual Oyster
Roast and Barbecue on Friday, October 15, from 5-8pm at
Davie Park. Tickets are $35 each and include all you can eat
oysters, barbecue, hush puppies, clam chowder, and
beverages. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity project.
Contact Gary DeSantis, 704-371-8833, for tickets.
þ
Hunter Widener was featured in the digital
magazine Charlotte ViewPoint, an independent opinion
magazine that celebrates the City of Charlotte. Hunter
described The City Committee, an inclusive, diverse,
action-based group of emerging leaders that is working
collaboratively with Charlotte’s business executives,
community leaders and elected officials to position
Charlotte as the best place to live and work in America.
þ
Jim
Hintz, Charlotte University City Rotary Club,
made a special presentation to Pete
Larson on Tuesday. Pete, last year’s World
Community Service chair, received Paul Harris Fellow
recognition from the Constantia Club in South Africa for his
work in the matching grant process that purchased
laparoscopic equipment for Victoria Hospital. Pete was very
humbled and said the project was made possible because of
the work done by committee member
Carol Jordan. At that time, President Catherine
asked Carol to come forward, and announced Carol would be
made a Paul Harris Fellow by Charlotte Rotary.
Congratulations to Pete and Carol.
þ
MARK THE DATE:
District 7680 Rotary Foundation Banquet
Thursday, October 28, 2004 Renaissance Hotel
Keynote speaker:
Glenn Estess, Sr., Rotary International President
Tickets are $35 and can be purchased from Herb Harriss |
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New Member Approval |
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The Classification
and Membership Committee recommend and the Directors approve for
consideration for all members, the following NEW MEMBER. Should
you question the eligibility of any nominee, please call the
Rotary Office by September 21st. You will be contacted by
a member of the Board. Otherwise, no reply is necessary and
election will proceed according to our bylaws. |
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Proposed Member
Company
Classification
Sponsor
Endorsed |
Dee
Dee Murphy
Leadership Charlotte
Education, Community Training
John Tabor
Katie Tyler, Janet Fortner |
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Attendance
Record |
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9/14/04 |
9/16/03 |
| visitors &
guests |
19 |
75 |
| club
members |
198 |
102 |
| total
attendance |
217 |
177 |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
25 Pam and Ambrose Dittloff
25 Amy and Jimmy Flowers
26 Robin and Todd Stevens
27 Linda and Billy King |
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New Members | Resignations |
Ruth Castleberry
BG Metzler
Pam Meister
Niels Olsen |
Bijoy Sahoo
Jerry Orr |
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| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
21 Chris Kemper,
Greensboro, NC
21 Janice Stevens,
Salisbury, NC
21 Kitty Stutts, Lawton, OK
22 Joey Godbold, Mobile, AL
24 Joe Penner, Reedley, CA
25 Julius Melton, Jackson, MS
26 Tom Burgess,
Tallahassee, FL
26 Barbara Price, Denver, CO
27 Harriman Jett,
Millersville, GA
27 Tim Newman, Danville, VA |
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