DISNEY ON ICE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF MAGIC
TO SHOWCASE ICE CARVING DEMONSTRATION
Salt Lake Community College Culinary Club Students to
Carve Iconic Disney Ice Sculptures at The Gateway Shopping Center
on Wednesday, November 14
To kick off Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic coming to the EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, members of the Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) Culinary Club will participate in a fun-filled ice carving demonstration depicting iconic Disney character images during the morning of Wednesday, November 14th at The Gateway Shopping Center’s Olympic Legacy Plaza. The event will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., with special appearances by the stars of Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic.
“We were delighted for the opportunity to participate in this event and showcase our passion for all things culinary,” said Stephanie Callison Tanner, SLCC Culinary Club President. “Our three competing members can’t wait to roll up their sleeves and get carving.”
The three carvers include SLCC Culinary Program students Gary Manoukian, 36, Oscar Villalobos, 25, and Jerry DeStafano, 29. All three chose to partake in the demonstration to enhance their artistic skills and learn new techniques for ice carving. When asked why he entered the carving demo, Villalobos said, “Ice and a chainsaw, what could be more fun?”
The fun will continue that evening with the opening night performance of Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic at 7:00 p.m. at EnergySolutions Arena, where more than 60 of Disney's captivating characters and their unforgettable stories will come to life in this commemorative celebration, produced by Feld Entertainment. In this lavish ice show, everyone's favorite sweethearts, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, take audiences on a fun-filled adventure, sharing memories with Disney friends including Goofy & Donald Duck; the beloved Disney Princesses; Buzz Lightyear & Woody; Nemo & Dory; Pinocchio & Jiminy Cricket; Belle & The Beast; The Incredibles plus many more – and magical moments from Disney’s Aladdin, Mulan and The Lion King.
About Feld Entertainment
Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 70 countries on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Feld Motor Sports, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!. To discover more about Disney On Ice, visit DisneyOnIce.com, or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.
About The Gateway Shopping Center
The Gateway is the premier shopping destination in the Salt Lake region with more than 100 shops, restaurants and attractions including the dancing waters in the fountain at the Olympic Legacy Plaza, Megaplex at The Gateway, Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum and the Clark Planetarium and IMAX Theatre. The Gateway is also home to The Grand Hall, a restored 100-year-plus historical train depot. For more information, visit shopthegateway.com.
About the SLCC Culinary Club
Founded in 2012, the SLCC Culinary Club has 88 members with new participants enrolling regularly. The club spans all ages, experienced and novice, and presents members with opportunities to assist and participate in various types of culinary events and activities. Club President, Stephanie Callison Tanner, along with six officers, plan and execute monthly activities. As a club, they express their passion for food and cooking as a means of breaking cultural and physical barriers. Their motto is “Live, Love, Cook!”
About the Carvers
Gary Manoukian was born in Beirut, Lebanon during a civil war in 1976. His parents fled to France, then to Canada (Niagara Falls) before moving to Utah. At 36 years old he decided to take his passion for food and cooking to a professional level. As a sophomore with a 4.0 average he is serious about school and his profession, yet he always finds time to laugh and joke. When Gary was asked what he plans on doing after graduation he replied, “Cooking my way to the top.” He made his first triple layer sandwich at the age of 7 for his mother when she was sick, accompanied with chips, drink, and a horrible mess in the kitchen. Gary is quoted as saying “Food is my pallet, herbs my medium, and the plate my canvas.” His favorite type of food is Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. Gary’s favorite motto is “Live, love and eat.” He wanted to enter this competition to test his skills as an artist. When asked, where do you see yourself in ten years, his reply was “On television with my own cooking program.”
Oscar Villalobos is 25-year-old student originally from Chacchi, Mexico who has lived In Texas the past many years. He came to Utah a few years ago and began a degree in Microbiology but later found out that food arts were his passion. He has been attending the SLCC Culinary Program for the past few years. O Scar loves desserts, and says that his favorite dessert is Crème Brule. The first dish that he remembers making was “Mac & Cheese with a sour cream mix”. O Scar said, “After school he would like to be apprenticing under a well know chef.” When asked why he entered the carving demo, he said “Ice and a chainsaw, what could be more fun?” He said that in 10 years he would like to own a restaurant and have someone apprenticing under him.
Jerry DeStafano is a 29-year-old student from Verona, NJ. He came here because he loves the outdoors and the Wasatch Mountains. He has a Bachelor’s degree in business and began the culinary program at SLCC summer of 2012. After graduation he would like to work at a ski resort cooking for the time being. Jerry’s favorite food is Italian food but more specifically “stuffed shells with ricotta cheese and tomato sauce. He remembers the first dish that he made as being Crème Brule. He choose to be in the ice- carving demo to get the experience and have some fun. When asked where he sees him- self in 10 years, he said, “Hopefully owing a bed & breakfast, giving tours and guiding hikes the mountains.
