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
