Celebrity chef Susie Jimenez will be spicing up dinner in Turlock next week as a fundraiser for Westside Ministries and the Ghetto Gardeners.
Susie Jimenez, a native of Turlock, began her relationship with food picking fruit with her parents, who came to California from Mexico. To pursue her food passion, Susie attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco and later worked as manager, line cook, sous chef and executive chef at several restaurants. In 2011, she was a participant in season 7 of “Food Network Star.”
Now living in Colorado, she’s now the owner of Susie’s Custom Catering and Farmer’s Daughter and participates in events where she teaches students how to cook with a variety of techniques and flavors.
Jimenez will be cooking up food for a pre-order takeaway dinner on Oct. 7. The proceeds will benefit Westside Ministries and the Ghetto Gardeners.
Turlock’s Westside Ministries, a faith-based organization offering social and education opportunities to local youth in need, have long had a strong focus on agriculture. The ministry has urban gardens on two properties and youth from the area plant, care for and harvest fruits, vegetables and flowers from the gardens to show at the annual Stanislaus County Fair and to sell for extra money. This group, named the Ghetto Gardeners, offers fresh produce and flower boxes to sell weekly on Wednesdays through the summer.
“Let’s help inspire these kids to stay out the street and do good for their futures. There’s nothing more than feeding a soul,” posted Susie Jimenez on her social media platforms.
The menu consists of:
— Caprese salad: fresh peaches, sweet tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil, drizzled with balsamic dressing for $7;
— Steak Stir-Fry: tender steak with bell peppers, onions, garlic and ginger, tossed in a ponzu-sesame dressing and served with vegetable fried rice and an egg roll $13; and
— Pear and Caramel Bread Pudding $5.
Call 209-667-8593 to preorder meals for pick up after 5:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at 952 Columbia St., Turlock.
