2003

John A. Chisholm    Owner, Manager and Director, Rigel Corporation
Patti Craig    Friend of the Industry, Professional Community Volunteer
Cyril T. Tworek    Owner, Manager and Director, Boys Town
Arturo Valenzuela    Chef, Omaha Club

Chisholm, John A.John A. Chisholm
Owner, Manager and Director, Rigel Corporation 

He earned a B.B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1969. He was a franchisee for Godfather's Pizza, KFC, Brugger's Bagel, Julio's, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and the Omaha Airport Foodservice. He was President of the Omaha Restaurant Association, Chair of the Omaha Airport Authority, board member of the Omaha Happy Hollow Club, member of the Creighton University Athletic Board, President of the Creighton University Jaybackers, President of the Nebraska Restaurant Association and Chairman of the Nebraska Restaurant Association. He was named Restaurateur of the Year by the Omaha Restaurant Association (1995), Restaurateur of the Year by the Nebraska Restaurant Association (1996) and Jaybacker of the Year (2003).

 


Craig, PattiPatti Craig
Friend of the Industry, Professional Community Volunteer

She started the Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation in Omaha in 1988 and chaired the event for 21 years; she continued on their National Advisory Board. She was President of the Omaha Opera Guild, Chair of the Crystal Ball Committee, member of the Omaha Opera Board of Directors and Co-Chairman of the cotillion program. She was active in the successful Senate campaign of Robert Kerrey and Governor E. Benjamin Nelson.

 

 


Tworek, CyrilCyril T. Tworek
Owner, Manager and Director, Boys Town

He learned his cooking skills in the U.S. military, both National Guard and U.S. Army. He began his career at Father Flanagan's Boys Home in 1948; he designed and implemented the Culinary Arts Program still in use there. He designed and implemented a commissary for the family-teacher mode of care at Boys Town. He co-designed and implemented a foodservice program at Our Lady of the Lake Camp, Lake Okoboji. He designed the school lunch program at Boys Town to qualify for federal commodities at the private residence facility. As Director of Food Service, he catered numerous fundraising events and was a trustee of the village of Boys Town.

 


Valenzuela, ArturoArturo Valenzuela
Chef, Omaha Club

He began his career in the foodservice industry as a dishwasher at the Omaha Club. After three months he was working the food line under the direction of Chef Walter Hecht. He was mentored by his friend Walter at Julio's Café, Old Vienna Café, The Wine Cellar and private catered parties. He worked as Kitchen Supervisor at the four-star Restaurant The Chardonnay in the Omaha Marriott Hotel. He served as a task force member for Marriott Hotels and was Food Production Manager for the El Paso Marriott. He returned to the Omaha Marriott as Sous Chef. In 1985, he was named Executive Chef at the Omaha Club. He was President of the American Culinary Federation Omaha Chapter for two terms and Vice President for two years. He earned a Gold Medal Award from the Professional Chefs of Nebraska, a Silver Medal Award from Professional Chefs of Nebraska, an Excellent Award from the International Wine and Food Society, a U.S. Culinary Olympics Appreciation Award for the Midwest and a diploma of merit from the Professional Chefs of Nebraska.