Manito chef wins award

Spokane chef James Wolters recently received a President’s Medallion from the American Culinary Federation.

Wolters, executive chef at the Manito Country Club, was recognized for his knowledge, skills and expertise at the 2011 ACF Western Regional Conference held at in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Elijah Dalager, sous chef at Harbor Crest Retirement Community in Spokane, also competed during the conference for the Chef of the Year Award. He was named Washington State Chef of the Year by his peers after state competition last summer. Todd Leonard, executive chef at Blue Lemon, in American Fork, Utah, won the competition.

A team from Spokane Community College also took part in the regional team student championship, competing against 10 other teams for the regional title. A team of students from the Oregon Coast Culinary School in Coos Bay, Ore., were the top winners.