Voices

Chef Erik Slater named to Best Chefs America

Seward, AK – Executive Chef Erik Slater, of Resurrection Roadhouse Restaurant, Seward Windsong Lodge and Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, has been honored as one of the country's top culinary talents in the inaugural edition of Best Chefs America. This is the first-ever peer review guide of U.S. chefs, who were chosen after extensive interviews between their fellow chefs and Best Chefs America analysts. Executive Chef Slater has been showcased in the informative and exquisitely produced 386-page coffee table book that was released on March 1, 2013.

"I am honored to be listed alongside such a group of talented Alaskan chefs and too be included in Best Chefs America." said Executive Chef Slater. "This recognition gives me yet another reason to be appreciative of my fellow professionals here in Alaska and it shows just how tight our chef community really is."

"Chefs themselves truly understand what it takes to be successful in this competitive industry, and Best Chefs America offers them a forum to express their views," states Elizabeth Fishburne, Best Chefs America Lead Analyst. "Based on the overwhelmingly positive response from more than 5,000 participating chefs, it is clear that the chef world was ready for us."

About Executive Chef Erik Slater and the lodges

In 2011, Executive Chef Slater was honored to be selected by Alaska Governor Parnell to represent the state in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans.

Slater's love of cooking came from his mother, who began honing his skills as soon as he could reach the range top. By the time he was 18, Erik Slater was a cook at the Elk Café in Spokane, Washington. A couple of years later, he worked at a small Italian café, learning old family recipes and techniques from the owners.

He later moved to the Mars Hotel as sous chef, before leaving Washington for Anchorage, Alaska, to work as head chef of Sorellas. He then moved to Napa Valley where he did fresh sheet menus paired with Napa Valley wines at the Dutch Treat Café. Slater took some time off to travel through Thailand, learning the authentic details of Thai cooking, returning to Alaska to work at a small Asian fusion restaurant in Juneau.

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In 2000, Slater moved to Seward where he was head chef at Ray's Waterfront Restaurant and a partner in Seward's Railway Cantina, before joining Seward Windsong Lodge in 2004, as executive chef. He serves on the board of the Alaska Culinary Academy.

Seward Windsong Lodge and Resurrection Roadhouse, the on-site restaurant, operate the 2013 season from May 17th through September 17th. Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge unveils a new main lodge building with an expanded kitchen and new culinary program to its guests on May 31st for the 2013 season.

Alaska Native owned and operated, CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation is the umbrella company for Alaska Heritage Tours, Kenai Fjords Tours, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, and Seward Windsong Lodge. CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation is a Minority Business Enterprise, MBE#PS0313.

About Best Chefs America

Best Chefs America is the ultimate chef's guide to chefs. Analysts conducted more than 5,000 confidential telephone interviews with chefs who were nominated by other chefs, culinary professionals and food enthusiasts across the country. The interviews consisted of a series of proprietary questions, and software was used to aggregate the data. Chefs earning the highest scores among their peers in their region were included in the guide. The results were compiled into a 386-page coffee table book, complete with chef listings broken down both geographically and alphabetically. Best Chefs America also features stunning photography and highlights emerging culinary trends and ingredients uncovered during the interviews.

CIRI press release

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