Twice in the last few days, coworkers have approached me and asked me why I didn't tell them I was going to be on teevee. Only thing is, I wasn't on teevee. They both swear she looked JUST LIKE me. I mean, I kinda have an 'alternative person working in a conservative atmosphere' face, so I could see how they'd see ANY alternachick as looking 'just like me', but one of the coworkers in question knows me very well and could pick me out of a gothy/freak crowd, easily. So I really want to see this doppelganger for myself.

The lead is slim. It was a cooking show, and they were interviewing past graduates from Western Culinary Institute. (This is especially spooky, because I went to WCI. Was I sleep-interviewing?)

Does anyone have the faintest idea what this show could be? It probably aired Wednesday or Thursday in the evening.

Thanks, DeePeeps!

H5O (and that's h-five-oh, in case you were wondering) bistro & bar is a part of Portland's newest boutique hotel compound: Hotel Fifty. The bistro is under the helm of Texas transplant, Nicholas A. Yanes, a chef with a resume of high-brow dining rooms around Dallas, along with a degree from the Western Culinary Institute. This [...]

It was daunting enough that Lyssa Story faced $45,000 in college debt after enrolling at the Western Culinary Institute in January. Then this summer, three lenders rejected her loan requests for some of that money, after her credit rating slipped due to unexpected medical bills. "It almost ...

So, I'm looking for some advice from DamnBakers.

I used to live in Portland, when I was going to school at the dubiously prestigious Western Culinary Institute. Then I moved back to California, where all my relatives are. A couple years later, I miss PDX so very, very much, and want to move back.

What's the job market like, food-wise? I've heard horror stories, but I'm a professional baker/pastry cook and Portland has such a great food scene that it's hard to get a grasp on who's hiring. What sort of wages should I expect? Are there any beloved bakeries that I should bomb with resumes? Is craigslist the go-to for employers or do you have to, like, know a guy?

BY BARB RANDALL

...

 For any culinary types out there, what is your opinion of the Western Culinary Institute. I'm thinking about applying to the pastry arts program, but I'd heard a few sketchy things about it in the past. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

"Top Chef" visits Western Culinary Institute
Western Culinary Institute
921 S.W. Morrison St., Suite 400
Portland, OR 97205
Saturday, February 09, 2008
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Event Type: OPB Standard Event
Event Description: Western Culinary Institute will host Bravo TV's "Top Chef" final four contestant, Chef Brian Malarky. The event is free and open to the first 50 people to register by phone or e-mail.
Cost: Free
Ticket Phone: 503.414.8408
Ticket Web Link: birthday@wci.edu

5-course lunch for $10, 6-course dinner for $20! Reservations required.