Ray Thering is the District Executive Chef for ARAMARK, located at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. At this complex and multifaceted account, Ray manages the culinary functions of Catering, Retail Operations, and Residential Dining facilities.
Ray hails from Buffalo, NY and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY in 1973. Later, he had the good fortunate of serving an apprenticeship in Buffalo under Eduard Hagen, world renowned Swiss Master Chef.
In 1980, Ray was selected as the Executive Chef of the Olympic Village for the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid, NY. The experience of preparing quality food for over 2,000 Olympic athletes each day and interacting with diverse people from all corners of the globe was an amazing and memorable experience that Ray will not soon forget.
At the University of Minnesota, Ray champions his local foods mission at Bistro West, the University's designated sustainable eating establishment. Furthering the response to the increased demand from students for local and sustainably-grown foods, Ray also manages special events in the residence halls with distinctive meals highlighting these foods. And the students couldn't be happier.
One of Ray's partners in this mission is Gary Pahl of Pahl's Farm in Apple Valley, MN. A fifth generation produce farmer, Gary has always been a part of the family business and believes that farming is a more than reputable way to make a living, hoping that his children will carry on the rich Pahl heritage. Pahl's Farm is proud to be Food Alliance certified and Gary enthuses, "Being good stewards is an obligation we as growers have to pay back for our bountiful harvests."
