Columbia International College is excited to play host to Sodexo’s Global Chef Program!
As a leader in the food service industry, Sodexo provides food and hospitality services to over 75 million consumers in about 80 countries, including Columbia. Their Global Chef Program gives its top chefs from around the world the opportunity to travel to different countries and share authentic international cuisine.
Next week, March 9 -13, Columbia, and its Sodexo team, will welcome Chef Claudia Alvarado from Peru. She will be preparing authentic Peruvian cuisine in the school’s two main cafeterias as part of the program. Students and staff will have the opportunity to dine on traditional dishes and learn about Peruvian culture.
About Chef Alvarado
Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Claudia Alvarado was inspired to pursue cooking after hosting many events with her family and friends; “bringing loved ones to enjoy a good meal is something that always fills me with satisfaction.”
While completing her culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu Peru, she worked as an apprentice chef at Don Rosalino, Corporation Wong and restaurants with world-renowned chefs like Gasto Acurio. She then joined the Sodexo Peru team where she spent two years working in remote operations as Executive Chef. After moving to the United States, she continued working for Sodexo USA at the University NAU (Northern Arizona University) as a Lead Cook. Thanks to her skills, she was quickly promoted to Catering Chef, Head Chef, and then Executive Sous Chef at the High Country Conference Center in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Her other career highlights include appearing on the TV show “The Culinary Adventure” by Gaston Acurio where she prepared a party for the tenth anniversary of Camisea, attended by the current president of Peru, Ollanta Humala. She also prepared a special dinner for Neil Armstrong while working at the High Country Conference Center.
Currently, Claudia is leading a project with the team of Technologic Innovation at Sodexo Peru. She intends to become a CEO of this company and hopes to open her first Peruvian restaurant.
The Global Chef Program
Sodexo introduced the Global Chef Program in 2003 to provide its clients with fresh and unique experiences to meet the needs of multicultural communities. Chefs that participate in the Program share authentic international cuisine and traditional cooking techniques with clients, customers, and the host institution’s on-site culinary team. To learn more visit globalchefprogram.com.
Columbia is excited to welcome Chef Claudia Alvarado and is looking forward to experiencing traditional Peruvian cuisine!