Johnson & Wales Media Center

Distinguished Visiting Chef, Sommelier Whet Diners’ Appetites
at North Miami Campus
Elizabeth Falkner, John W. Mark speak to students,
prepare dinner open to the public

NORTH MIAMI, Fla. – May 5, 2008 – Elizabeth Falkner, executive chef and co-owner of Citizen Cake, Citizen Cupcake and Orson in San Francisco brought her flair for inventive cuisine and dynamic plate presentations to the North Miami Campus April 23-24 as part of the university’s Distinguished Visiting Chef series.

falkner Falkner and her wine and operations director John W. Mark each gave guest lectures to approximately 80 culinary arts students and prepared hors d’oeuvres and a four-course meal for 60 guests alongside 30 student volunteers. Each course was served with a wine identified by Mark, who the university recognized as Distinguished Visiting Sommelier.

Falkner and Mark recommended students travel abroad to open their minds to the many flavors the world has to offer.

An example of her unique approach to blending culinary and baking & pastry flavors is Falkner’s recipe for celery sorbet with dates, parmesan cream and celery fennel salad, a dish she demonstrated for students and prepared at the public dinner.

"I think of myself like a soundboard mixer," Falkner told students in one of her demonstrations. "I play with the volume on certain ingredients until I find the right combination."

about Elizabeth Falkner, Distinguished Visiting Chef
Falkner began her professional cooking career in 1990 as the chef of Café Claude, she worked in the kitchens of Masa’s, Elka/Miyako Hotel and Rubicon. Recognizing the need for a contemporary, quality pastry shop in the Bay Area, Falkner opened Citizen Cake in San Francisco’s south of Market section in October 1997. In 2007, Citizen Cake was awarded a recommendation from Michelin and received 7x7 Magazine’s award for best dessert. In 2004, Falkner opened Citizen Cupcake, a satellite, at the Virgin Megastore in San Francisco’s Union Square. She has appeared on national television as a guest judge for Bravo’s Top Chef and a challenger in the Food Network’s Iron Chef America. She is the creator of Elizabeth Falkner’s Demolition Desserts, a cookbook published last October.

about John W. Mark, Distinguished Visiting Sommelier
Mark has worked with Falkner since the inception of Citizen Cake. He has participated in the Schramsberg Sparkling Wine Symposium and has traveled extensively through the Loire and Rhône Valleys in order to better his knowledge of French wines from these regions. In helping customers decide what wines to choose, Mark encourages people to expand their experience.

"My approach is to find out what people usually drink and then either take them in completely the opposite direction to expose them to something new, or to see how close I can come to their usual habits with what's on my list," Mark says.

Johnson & Wales University, founded in 1914, is a nonprofit, private institution. A recognized leader in career education, we offer accredited degrees in business, hospitality, culinary arts, technology and education. With a diverse student body of more than 16,000 graduate and undergraduate students, representing all 50 states and 89 countries, JWU prepares students for personal and professional success by integrating rigorous academics and professional skills, community leadership opportunities and our unique career education model. The university is committed to urban revitalization and thoughtful historic renovation. Through active civic participation and by offering unique learning opportunities, JWU improves the quality of life in its campus communities in Providence, R.I., North Miami, Fla., Denver, Colo., and Charlotte, N.C. For more information visit www.jwu.edu.