FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PCC Cooks wins 2009 IACP Award of Excellence in Avocational Cooking Schools category
Seattle, Wash., April 6, 2009
— PCC Cooks, a comprehensive cooking program operated by PCC Natural
Markets (PCC), was honored by the prestigious International Association
of Culinary Professionals (IACP) with a 2009 Award of Excellence at the
IACP Gala Awards dinner held in Denver, Colo. on Saturday, April 4.
"We
are thrilled that PCC Cooks has been selected as a 2009 IACP Award of
Excellence recipient," said Marilyn McCormick, PCC Cooks manager. "For
more than twenty-five years our professional instructors have offered a
variety of economical and convenient cooking classes and camps in a
relaxed and fun atmosphere, and it is deeply rewarding to have our
program acknowledged by the IACP."
PCC Cooks was founded
in 1983 by Goldie Caughlan, PCC's nutrition education manager. Starting
with in-store cooking demonstrations, she developed a curriculum of
demonstration classes encompassing cooking, nutrition and health topics
called FoodWorks.
Marilyn McCormick began with the
program in 1994 and became the manager in 2003. In 2004 FoodWorks was
re-branded to PCC Cooks to strengthen its affiliation with PCC Natural
Markets, the largest consumer-owned natural foods retailer in the U.S.,
and to communicate the program's focus on cooking. Since then, the
program has grown from an offering of 389 classes annually to 946 in
2008.
Classes are taught by experienced instructors and
emphasize local and seasonal ingredients, practical kitchen skills and
tested recipes. Daytime, evening and weekend classes for adults, as
well as classes and summer camp programs for kids, are available.
The
majority of classes are taught in six state-of-the art teaching
kitchens owned and operated by PCC. Most classes are priced at $40 per
person for a 2-1/2 hour class, materials and ingredients included. In
addition to scheduled classes and camps, PCC Cooks reaches out to the
greater Seattle community by offering cooking demonstrations, custom
classes and free-to-the-public lectures at facilities operated by local
non-profits, community centers and businesses. For more information
visit: www.PccCooks.com.
About PCC Natural Markets:
Headquartered in Seattle, Wash., PCC Natural Markets is a certified
organic retail cooperative with annual sales of $133 million and an
active membership of 45,000 households. PCC operates nine stores in the
Seward Park, View Ridge, Greenlake, West Seattle, Fremont, Kirkland,
Redmond, Edmonds and Issaquah neighborhoods. www.pccnaturalmarkets.com
About the International Association of Culinary Professionals:
IACP is a not-for-profit professional association which provides
continuing education and development for its members who are engaged in
the areas of culinary education, communication, or in the preparation
of food and drink. Its vision is to be an international forum for the
development and exchange of information, knowledge, and inspiration
within the professional food community worldwide. www.iacp.com