No. 97
Rollie Wesen of the
Jacques Pépin Foundation
The Banter
The Guys talk about the word “journey.” Don’t stop believin’.
The Conversation
The Restaurant Guys talk with Rollie Wesen about his work at the Jacques Pépin Foundation and how the JPF lifts up individuals through supporting community and virtual culinary education. Rollie comments on how learning cooking techniques can not only improve one’s health, but also prevent disease and extend one’s life.
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Rollie Wesen
Dr. Rollie Wesen is the Executive Director of the Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF) and an assistant professor at Johnson & Wales University (JWU) in Providence, Rhode Island.
After 20 years of professional cooking experience, including stints at Michelin-starred restaurants in London and France, eight years in New York City, and as a banquet chef for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, chef Wesen joined the faculty at JWU in 2011.
With his wife, Claudine Pépin, and father-in-law, Jacques, he co-founded the JPF in 2016. The JPF advances Jacques Pépin’s love of culinary arts and teaching through video recipe production and curriculum development, expanding education and training for all.
The foundation supports culinary education for many communities through many channels, with a particular focus on workforce development in community-based culinary training networks.
THE INSIDE TRACK
The Guys were thrilled to re-launched their podcast with Jacques Pépin and were so glad to start off his 90 for 90 campaign that Rollie and the JPF are orchestrating.
“ We're currently in the midst of a national campaign, our 90 for 90 campaign, because Jacques is going to turn 90 years old in this upcoming December, which is amazing, and we're so happy to still have him with us. But for anybody who wants to celebrate him or feels like they've learned something from him or they want to give back just a little bit for everything that Jacques has given them over the years, there are dinners being hosted all across the country at our, at great restaurants.”
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