Featured Wine:

Baileyna, Grand Five Peak Cuvee, Syrah
Edna Valley, California, 2003, Classic Wines

Executive Chef Michael Polcyn CCC, hails from Saint Louis, Mo, a homegrown product of the local community college and the American Culinary Federation [ ACF ]. Certification program. Chef Mike has cooked for President H.W. Bush, August Busch 3rd, of the Anheuser Busch brewing fame, Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Wynton Marsalis and more. After 30 years in the Hotel industry, Mike now works for Food Outreach, a non-profit, providing nutrition and nutritional support for the HIV/ Aids, and cancer community in St. Louis and surrounding counties. Chef Mike is also employed at the Ladue Racquet Club as Chef de Cuisine, catering upscale parties, wine dinners and helping oversee apprentice chefs. Chef Mike is very active in the culinary community, a current member of the Chefs de Cuisine Association of St. Louis. Partnering with Share our Strength and Operation Foodsearch, Chef Mike teaches nutrition and preparation skills to clients and at risk teenagers. Producing over 12,000 meals every month, Chef Mike still finds time to participate in local fundraisers, The most recent being 'Cooks for a Cause' at the Sidney Street Café, with Chef Larry Forgione and local chefs. The St. Louis Wine country Chefs benefit at Mt. Pleasant Winery in Augusta Missouri raised over $16,000 for Katrina Relief.

Alison Williams, a previous grant recipient herself, currently resides in Denver, Colorado. A recent graduate of Johnson & Wales University, Denver Campus, with a Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. At present, Alison is interning a Via Italian Eatery and Bar in the Lodo area and has several job offers on the table. Future plans are to continue her education at CSU for a Bachelor Degree in Nutrition.