IN THIS ISSUE

1. StarChefs.com Rising Stars Comes to LA - May 16th!
2. JobFinder Employer Tip: Focused Job Descriptions
3. CEO's Dish: Salary Requirements
4. StarChefs.com International Chefs Congress - A Kitchen Without Bounderies
5. The Can-Do Awards: Fighting Hunger in New York City
6. Happy Birthday James Beard - Celebrate His Legacy

1. StarChefs.com Rising Stars Comes to LA - May 16th!
What does the future taste like? In Los Angeles it's the flavor of Jill Davies' Grilled Sepia with Merguez Sausage, the richness of James Richardson's Kurabata Pork Belly, and the acidic bite of Jason Travi's Smoked Eel with Orange, Radish, and Arugula all topped off with the sweetness of Elizabeth Belkind's Maple Glazed Doughnuts. On Tuesday, May 16th StarChefs.com presents the Rising Stars Revue Los Angeles 2006 at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, where fourteen of LA's hottest up-and-coming chefs, pastry chefs, and culinary professionals will be honored for their contributions to the contemporary American dining scene.

Check out the Future of Dining in LA:
http://www.starchefs.com/chefs/rising_stars/2006/la/html/menu.shtml

2. JobFinder Employer Tip: Focused Job Descriptions
What exactly does a sous chef do? In a hotel kitchen, he may be one of a dozen, working under an executive sous chef to command an army of line cooks. In the kitchen of a smaller restaurant, the sous chef may be the lead chef, working only with an executive chef to create menus and managing the entire staff herself. The more specific your employment posting, the greater your ability to attract a focused candidate.

When advertising for any job position, whether front or back of the house, there is no single job description that fits all businesses. Even within the categories of hotel, restaurant, and dining room staff, positions with identical titles often do not share the same duties and responsibilities. If you are planning to hire an assistant manager, write the employment ad with the manager who will oversee the applicant.

It's also important to remember that any job description that your company posts online or in print must comply with local equal opportunity laws - check your state's Department of Labor for specific information.

3. CEO's Dish: Salary Requirements
When placing an employment ad, one of the most difficult decisions to make is how much salary information to include. Although it may seem simple to list an ambiguous term like "negotiable," often it is in an employer's best interest to list a more defined amount in order to promote the position and avoid applicant confusion.

If you are searching for someone to fill an hourly position with a clearly defined salary, the most difficult decision is made. Once the hourly pay is determined, it is an employer's choice whether to list the dollar value of the position or to include the phrase "hourly salary" in the job posting. This also applies to salaried positions. The choice to list an actual amount or range rather than the term "salaried" should be determined by an employer's local job market: Check out StarChefs.com salary details:
2005>http://starchefs.com/cgi/re.cgi?http://www.starchefs.com/features/editors_dish/salary_survey/index.shtml>2005 Salary Survey


The phrases "depending on experience" or "commensurate with experience" can also be good choices for advertising both hourly and salaried positions, but should be paired with a specific range of required job experience to support them.

4. StarChefs.com International Chefs Congress - A Kitchen Without Bounderies
Don't miss what promises to be the most important professional culinary event in the US this year! StarChefs.com's International Chefs Congress is a two-day culinary symposium where the world's most influential chefs will share their knowledge and present the latest techniques and culinary concepts to their chef peers. This is the first event of its kind in the US, and StarChefs.com invites you to be a part of culinary history! The event will take place September 19 & 20, 2006 in New York City at Covenant House.

Request Your Invitation for ICC 2006:
http://www.starchefs.com/events/icc/2006/index.shtml

5. The Can-Do Awards: Fighting Hunger in New York City
Each day The Food Bank for New York City distributes over 240,000 meals in an effort to end hunger by organizing food, information and support for community survival and dignity. On Tuesday, April 25, The Can-Do Awards will honor those who have helped The Food Bank fulfill its mission. The 2006 dinner at Pier 60 will recognize Ed Fowler, Michael Stripe, and Brooke Johnson as individuals who are helping to end city-wide hunger. Co-chairs Mario Batali and Susan Cahn will preside over this gala benefit whose goal is to promote the idea that everyone "can do" something about the 2 million hungry in New York.

The Can-Do Awards Dinner:
http://www.starchefs.com/events/can_do/2006/index.shtml

6. Happy Birthday James Beard - Celebrate His Legacy
James Beard, who popularized and promoted the concept of American cuisine worldwide, would be observing his 103rd birthday this May. To commemorate Beard's legacy of culinary excellence, the James Beard Foundation will host a birthday dinner on May 7th at the Four Seasons New York. Las Vegas hotelier Steve Wynn has assembled a team of renowned culinary talent to bring a bit of Las Vegas sparkle to the festivities including Takashi Yagihashi of Okada, Daniel Boulud of Daniel Boulud Brasserie, and Alessandro Stratta of Alex.

Celebrate the "Dean of American Cuisine":
http://www.starchefs.com/events/birthday_dinner/index.shtml