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Dawn LaRochelle, Culinary Artist/Owner:
Dawn LaRochelle is a former attorney who now lavishes the organizational skills, attention to detail and perfectionism honed in Harvard Law School and the courtroom on her true passion: food!
With a love of cooking developed as a young girl kneading bread dough with her Yiddish-speaking grandmother, and later while on scholarship working with talented chefs in Tokyo, Beijing and Taipei, Dawn is known for her ability to blend traditional and exotic flavors from around the world to please the eye AND the palette. Dawn has an outstanding reputation in the Berkshires and beyond for her delectable and exquisitely presented cuisine, and has catered for a distinguished clientele including Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel; the former Ambassador from China to the United States Li Daoyu; the Counsel General of Israel-New England Nadav Tamir; and internationally renowned fitness expert and best-selling author Brad Schoenfeld.
Dawn is frequently sought upon to lecture about gourmet Kosher cuisine, has been a guest on WBCR Berkshire County radio and is the recipient of two prestigious Grinspoon Arts & Culture Grants to hold community-based cooking demonstrations. Dawn is also active in the local community, including serving as President of Sinai Academy of the Berkshires from 2006 to 2008, and is a member of the International Culinary Association and the Berkshire Co-Op.
Mike Morelli, Chef de Cuisine:
A Blue Ribbon graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York, Chef Mike has a distinguished and diverse career in the food service industry. The former owner and chef of Morelli's Cafe in Albany, Mike has also worked as Executive Chef at Nicola's Over Main in Lake Placid; as Chef de Cuisine at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway; and as Pastry Chef at the Marriot in Stratton Mountain, Vermont. A ServSafe certified instructor, Mike teaches culinary techniques, meat fabrication, culinary management, international cuisine and ServSafe at Clemens College in Suffield, Connecticut. His haute sensibilities tempered by a playful touch in the kitchen, Mike is a tremendous asset to Bete'Avon and our valued clients!
Marina Lombard, Pastry Chef:
A culinary school graduate from Yoshkar-Ola, Russia, Marina's diverse experience includes work as Senior Confectioner at Trapeze Restaurant in Yoshkar-Ola, during which time she placed first in the prestigious Republic of Mari-El Baking Competition and was awarded Master Confectioner Status; as Master Confectioner at Mari Bakery in Yoshkar-Ola, where she was in charge of producing 2,500 world-class cakes per day; and as the owner of a boutique cake decorating business in Palmer, Massachusetts. Marina's fanciful cakes (she was a winner in the Dr. Seuss Museum cake contest) and elegant pastries are true works of art -- sinfully scrumptious works of art!
Lynn Maynard, Event Planner and Design Specialist:
A Berkshire native, Lynn's creative and organizational talents were honed working side by side with Elaine Nash, the exclusive designer for Canyon Ranch for eleven years, and as a planner and designer for the Berkshire Museum, the Berkshire Professional Women's Association, the Pittsfield Country Club, A.G. Edwards and Berkshire Bank, among many others. The former owner of the Gifted Gardner and a veteran landscape designer, Lynn not only comes up with perfect floor plans and seamlessly coordinates the myriad details inherent in all special events, but also creates Apogee's stunning floral arrangements and buffet centerpieces.
Carolyn Healey Wedding and Theme Cake Specialist:
"Carolyn the Cake Lady," as she is affectionately dubbed, has been perfecting the art, science and FUN of wedding and theme cake decorating for over 25 years. After catching the "baking bug" working at Sweet Ideas in Southwick, Massachusetts, Carolyn proceeded to quickly master fancy and elaborate cake design techniques. As Bete'Avon's Wedding and Theme Cake Specialist, Carolyn has become legendary for her buttercream-only creations that avoid the use of fondant. "Team Bete'Avon" is fortunate and proud to have "the Cake Lady" on board!
