Lutsen Resort’s Fall Food & Wine Weekend

November 9-10, 2012
 

Chef Bios


Chef Thomas Kavanaugh :  The Kavanaugh Culinary Group
Chef Thomas Kavanaugh grew up cooking at the family restaurant, the well known Kavanaugh’s in Brainerd, Minnesota. He began working alongside his mother, Mae Kavanaugh at the early age of ten and by age nineteen Chef Kavanaugh was running all the food service at Kavanaugh’s. He has studied under renown food personalities Anne Willin of the La Varrenne Cooking School and Jean Louis Palladin of Jean Louis’s. Chef Kavanaugh also studied at the Culinary Institute of America in the Napa Valley. Chef Kavanaugh has twice been named a Chapter Chef of the Year of the American Culinary Federation.

Over the past 20 years, Chef Kavanaugh has taught over 300 cooking classes that have covered over 30 different cuisines. Chef Kavanaugh has traveled extensively in Italy working on a cookbook and travel guide of Tuscan cuisine. He founded The Kavanaugh Culinary Group which leads wine and culinary cooking tours to Italy, does extensive restaurant consulting, menu development and staff training as well a working on restaurant concepts.



Rob Wells : Executive Chef Lutsen Resort
Rob Wells was born in the southern Italian province of Puglia, and learned regional cooking at his mother's side. He moved with his family to New Mexico where he began his professional cooking career. He has worked and trained in several of Santa Fe's landmark restaurants including the Coyote Cafe, La Casa Sena and Inn of the Anasazi. Prior to becoming the Executive Chef at Lutsen Resort he was the Executive Chef of Scalo Northern Italian Grill in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He lives in Grand Marais with his wife, Kate and their daughters, Bryn and Aria.

Henry Walch : Sous Chef Lutsen Resort
Lutsen Resort Sous Chef Henry Walch developed a passion for food well into his career as a chef.  "It started out as a job, but transformed slowly into a passion."  Influenced by his wide travels throughout Latin America and his experiences at Marx Fusion Bistro in Stillwater, Henry's love for international cuisine has paralleled his devotion to the art.  Henry lives on the shore and spends his free time in the area's lakes and on it's trails.  "The natural beauty of Lutsen is enough to inspire any young chef".

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