The Oregon Convention Center (OCC) is proud to announce that chef de cuisine Chris Purdue earned a Pro Chef II certification from the world renowned Culinary Institute of America.
Purdue was named the chef de cuisine in 2014 by the convention center’s executive chef Allan Wambaa, a recent recipient of the Pro Chef III certification, a rare distinction among chefs. Wambaa and Purdue are leaders among the venue’s pacificwild team serving the OCC and other venues in the Portland area including Portland’5 Centers for the Arts and the Portland Expo Center. Pacificwild is a locally branded division of Aramark Food Services. Shannon Wisner, chef de cuisine at the theaters managed by Portland’5 also earned her Pro Chef II certification recently.The Pro Chef certification is the only competency based accreditation for professional chefs in the United States. Founded in 1946, the CIA is an independent, not-for-profit culinary education institution that offers associates and bachelor’s degrees as well as executive-level food studies.
“It is a point of pride that our food service and catering teams are led by top culinary experts in the industry,” said Scott Cruickshank, OCC executive director. “Portland has earned an international reputation as a ‘foodie’ destination so it is fitting that our guests enjoy the best of the best when they visit the Oregon Convention Center,” he added.
“These certifications reflect not only hard work and diligence among the staff but a true commitment to keeping Portland in its top ranking on the national level,” said Ed Strong, pacificwild/Aramark general manager.
- Stephanie Soden