Smart recently shared his experiences and insights during a demonstration at Kirkwood featuring the cuisine of the Pacific Northwest. The demonstration was part of Kirkwood’s guest chef series. — Photo by The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
Smart recently shared his experiences and insights during a demonstration at Kirkwood featuring the cuisine of the Pacific Northwest. The demonstration was part of Kirkwood’s guest chef series. — Photo by The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
The 2007 graduate of the Kirkwood Culinary program is now the sous chef at one of the Pacific Northwest’s trendiest restaurants, The Herbfarm. — Photo by The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
Smart recently shared his experiences and insights during a demonstration at Kirkwood featuring the cuisine of the Pacific Northwest. The demonstration was part of Kirkwood’s guest chef series. — Photo by The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
Smart recently shared his experiences and insights during a demonstration at Kirkwood featuring the cuisine of the Pacific Northwest. The demonstration was part of Kirkwood’s guest chef series. — Photo by The Hotel at Kirkwood Center

At Kirkwood Community College, you really can start here and go anywhere.

The mantra is well illustrated by Ben Smart. The 2007 graduate of the Kirkwood Culinary program is now the sous chef at one of the Pacific Northwest's trendiest restaurants, The Herbfarm.

Smart recently shared his experiences and insights during a demonstration at Kirkwood featuring the cuisine of the Pacific Northwest. The demonstration was part of Kirkwood's guest chef series.

"This was by far one of the best guest chef appearances we've hosted to date," said chef David Horsfield, Kirkwood's Hospitality Arts program chair. "It was wonderful to bring such a successful alum back to the college to demonstrate his skills for both our students and the community."

The Herbfarm, located in Woodinville, Wash., is one of the few AAA 5 Diamond rated restaurants in the United States, and was recently chosen by Wine Enthusiast Magazine as one of America's 100 best wine restaurants. The restaurant features an ever-changing nightlynine-course menu created exclusively of Pacific Northwest fare paired with six regional wines.

The restaurant boasts the world's largest collection of Pacific Northwest wines, as well as offerings from top vineyards of the world. The cellar contains 26,000 bottles with 4,400 selections.

"Ben was a top-notch student at Kirkwood, and we knew he would go on to be very successful," Horsfield said. "To have one of our own become a sous chef at a 5 Diamond rated restaurant is quite an accolade to Kirkwood's reputation in the hospitality industry."

The 350-plus Kirkwood Hospitality program students, housed at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, bring high-value hospitality to Hotel and Class Act Restaurant guests. Excited about the industry and eager to learn, they work alongside top hospitality professionals, and experience constant, daily learning situations as they serve the traveling and dining public.

Students serve in many supporting roles that match their progress through Kirkwood's programs. They are guest room attendants, concierges, kitchen staffers, restaurant servers, supervisors, bellhops and caterers.

"Because The Hotel and Class Act are luxury operations, these students are learning the best from the best," Horsfield said. "They are all very well-prepared to become the chefs and hospitality professionals of tomorrow."

More information on The Hotel at Kirkwood Center is available at (319) 848-8700; or via the Web:
www.thehotelatkirkwood.com http://www.thehotelatkirkwood.com

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Lee Belfield
General Manager
319-848-8701
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center