Art Institute sets up shop in Green Valley Corporate Center

The Art Institute of Las Vegas' new culinary arts program is among the newer tenants at Green Valley Corporate Center, a 90-acre business park developed by American Nevada Corp. at the northwest corner of Green Valley Parkway and Interstate 215. The program, in addition to other institute entities, occupies a 45,000-square-foot building.

Sallie Palmer, director of student services, said the institute has about 300 students, but with the introduction of the culinary arts program, she expects future enrollment to reach as high as 750.

"Our new building has the space we need for the associated classroom and administrative functions, and Green Valley Corporate Center provides excellent parking facilities for our students and staff," Palmer said.

The new facility includes a demonstration kitchen, restaurant kitchen and bakery. A 50-seat restaurant is expected to open to the public by mid-2003.

The director of the culinary arts program is Chef Raimund Hofmeister, whose past clientele includes President Ronald Reagan. The two met while Hofmeister was in charge of food and beverage operations at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, where he handled all of the cooking for the Reagans and their guests.

"I guess I can say I was one of the few people who often got to see the most powerful man in the world in his pajamas," Hofmeister said. "I was in charge of setting up breakfast meetings in the presidential suite, and on many occasions, he'd come out, sample the food and just visit."

Eventually, Hofmeister was offered the job of White House chef.

"I graciously declined because it would have meant a 30 percent reduction in salary," he said.

Hofmeister, 53, has showcased his culinary skills in his native Germany, as well as in South Africa, Russia, Switzerland and throughout the United States. His clientele has included Boris Yeltsin, Vladimir Putin, Prince Philip, Queen Beatrix, King Hussein and Indira Ghandi. He is also a founder of the Los Angeles Culinary Institute.

Most recently, Hofmeister was chef for a catering firm in Washington, D.C. The events of Sept. 11 led to his move to Las Vegas.

"We were located about three minutes from the Pentagon," he said. "We heard the explosion and felt the ground shake. After that, the business diminished and there was very little catering activity. Most of the buildings we serviced were closed.

"For me, coming to Las Vegas is like coming home. Some of the world's greatest restaurants are here. The world's greatest chefs are here, too, including the nation's second-highest concentration of certified master chefs. If you love the culinary arts, this is a great place to be right now."

The curriculum includes baking, beverage management, buffet catering, food presentation, purchasing, cost control, international cuisine, management, meal planning, meat cutting, menu and facilities design, nutrition, wines and spirits, and sanitation. Classes start Monday, July 8.

In addition to the culinary facility, the institute also has in the building an art gallery, classrooms, design studios, exhibition areas, a resource center, computer labs, a student lounge and administrative offices.

American Nevada Corp. specializes in the design and development of master-planned communities and commercial properties. The company is the developer of Green Valley and Green Valley Ranch, and is a partner in Silver Canyon Partnership, the developer of the Seven Hills community. American Nevada is also a partner in North Valley Enterprises, which is developing a 1,905-acre master-planned community in North Las Vegas.

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