APPETIZERS: SEMIFINALISTAvid cook well on his way to building careerDave Foley of Sharon is hoping to build a career out of the thing he likes doing best. The 21-year-old Pittsburgh native, a semifinalist in the Appetizers category of the ``What's Cookin' in Your World?'' recipe contest, is already well on his way.An avid cook since he began learning from his father while still a youngster, Foley has been working in restaurants since he was 15, most recently as a line cook at Chili's in Boardman, Ohio. After earning his degree at the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts in Pittsburgh, Foley moved to Hilton Head, S.C., where he was executive souse chef at a resort. It was there that Foley became adept at cooking seafood, which was both popular and plentiful. Before heading south, Foley said, his exposure to seafood had been minimal. ``I was up here in the meat-and-potatoes part of America.'' When it came time to enter The Herald's annual contest, Foley said his sister suggested he enter a seafood recipe. Foley said the recipe for Cheese Stuffed Shrimp is an original he made up himself. He cautions those who try this dish, filled with a mixture of cheeses and spices, to avoid overcooking the shrimp. Foley said he hopes to continue in the restaurant business, either in management or as an executive chef. Foley said he's also considered launching a gourmet catering business. He thinks his education may give him a head start in either pursuit. Going to culinary arts school isn't a requirement for being a chef, but it eliminates the long traditional period of apprenticeship, he said. When he's not cooking seafood, you may find Foley attending to simpler culinary tasks, like warming bottles. He and his fiance, Mandy Shrieve, have a 10-week-old son. Cheese Stuffed Shrimp6 large shrimp1. Peel and devein shrimp leaving the tail on. Cut down the back to open the shrimp and set aside. 2. Mix all other ingredients together to make stuffing. If stuffing is to wet or runny, add more bread crumbs. Roll into balls and place in curl of shrimp. 3. Butter a casserole dish and place shrimp in dish with white wine and cook 5 to 8 minutes at 375 until done. |
