Sammic Scholarship | BasqueStage

Candidate Face-Off!

Posted by marti | Posted on 30-10-2012

Category : Rising Stars, Sammic Scholarship

The announcement of the new winners for the Sammic Scholarships for BasqueStage is coming so soon. Our candidates are on the edge of their seats, tweeting and blogging about just how anxious they are! And rightfully so…they’ve spent hours compiling some really incredible applications.

Among the requirements was: essay, resume, a blogpost with recipe and food photos, and a video. We’ve compiled the candidates videos and social media information for you to review here.

Check it out, and leave us a comment about who YOU think is most deserving of our new Top Chef and Rising Stars scholarships!

Preparing For the Adventure: Luuk

Posted by marti | Posted on 16-07-2012

Category : BasqueStage

Tags: brenden darby, luuk hoffman, Sammic Scholarship

This week is the official start of the IV Sammic Scholarship for BasqueStage.

Luuk Hoffman, one of our IV Scholars, has just landed in San Sebastián. We wanted to get some of his thoughts as he sets off on his stage at Martín Berasategui.

What will you miss from home?

I rarely get attached to a certain place. I like traveling and not knowing where I’ll land. Its mostly people that I will likely miss.Like my colleagues. Especially Robbert Capello a.k.a. Bubba. A cook I was always cracking jokes with at the Moerbei. Then there is the classes on monday that I will be missing. A nice change of pace from the day to day at the restaurant. Always a great learning experience I looked forward to each week.

What are you looking forward to?

The level of cooking without a doubt. New dishes and new friends on a close second.Then there is the beautiful landscape, pintxo bars and the beach.There is so much to look forward to but MB is the reason Im coming and not necessarily for the beautiful scenery. Its just a bonus.

What are you bringing?

My knives and new chef jackets off-course!They are necessities after all. The race bicycle for the weekends.This bike is even older than me and it shows! The gears are attached to the frame and one brake hardly works.Keeps it exciting when going downhill and only the front wheels brake is operational.

Looking Back : Ruth

Posted by marti | Posted on 10-07-2012

Category : BasqueStage

Tags: 2012, BasqueStage, elisha benhaim, ruth selby, Sammic Scholarship, Scholars

Our Sammic Scholars Ruth and Elisha finished their BasqueStage experience at the end of June. It was full of action, from the three star kitchens of Martín Berasategui to the tiny creameries in the hills of Basque Country. We’ve invited Ruth to the blog to share her closing words before we welcome our new scholars, Luuk and Brenden.

After six months of living in Pais Vasco, the time has come for me to return to California. I go with excitement, ready to start in earnest my cooking career. I also go with a twinge of sadness, because my time here has been so rewarding.

From a three Michelin starred kitchen to a pintxos bar, from a cheese maker to cooking classes in gastronomic societies: we’ve seen almost every facet of Basque food culture.

I know how to work in a stressful, demanding kitchen. I also learned how to operate some of the best kitchen equipment in the business. In terms of palate, I can now taste the nuances between different Idiazabals. I learned how to make blood sausage with an elegant senora who has been making sausage her whole life. I picked sweet peas, lettuces and edible flowers in a hilltop garden in Getaria.

Most importantly, I’ve met motivated, talented and generous people who value food and celebrate it in ways I admire. Thank you for welcoming me and teaching me.

California, I’m coming home. But Euskadi- I’ll be back as soon as I can!

Scholar Spotlight: Brenden

Posted by marti | Posted on 07-05-2012

Category : Winners

Tags: brenden darby, Sammic, Sammic Scholarship

Brenden Darby, IV Sammic Scholar for BasqueStage

Brenden is a recent graduate from Johnson & Wales University In Providence Rhode Island where he received a Bachelors in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management as well as a concentration in Sommelier Studies. Brenden grew up in Lake Tahoe California with his parents and older brother. Throughout his college career he has worked and volunteered at restaurants in San Francisco, Denver, United Kingdom, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia but his favorite place he had ever been is Bukit Lawang, Indonesia where he had the honor of learning how to cook a traditional tribal wedding dinner. Traveling has been one of Brenden’s biggest passions second to cooking. His favorite cuisine to cook is Japanese because he loves the preciseness and the elegance of the food. His food mentor was his first chef Clark Robb who showed him how to do every job in a restaurant from washing dishes to cooking entrees. Brenden is most looking forward to experiencing the culture of San Sebastian and learning new things in the kitchen.

the next step…video

Posted by marti | Posted on 05-04-2012

Category : BasqueStage

Tags: 2012, BasqueStage, Candidates, Ear, Sammic Scholarship

Earlier this week, we announced the top 30 finalists in the race for the IV Sammic Scholarship for BasqueStage. This talented bunch now has to show us what they’ve really got.

The first stage of round two is for the candidates to craft a video.

This video will be between one and two minutes, and the candidate will have the chance to explain who (s)he is, why (s)he wants to participate in BasqueStage, and any other things considered interesting and relevant. These videos, will be uploaded to Vimeo (or Youtube), and then posted to the candidates’ blogs. This video is not (necessarily) a cooking demo, as they have been in the past. Candidates have total creative control.

This is the first step in getting to know our top 30, whether it’s at a market or in front of their computer. Candidates should designate it in the text of the post as ‘BasqueStage Candidate Video’ and send a link upon completion.

Follow along as they compete to show us who deserves to be in Basque Country, Spain, on their culinary chance of a lifetime, with all expenses paid.

Stay tuned!

announcement of finalists

Posted by marti | Posted on 03-04-2012

Category : BasqueStage

Tags: 2012, Candidates, Sammic Scholarship

It’s been a very difficult decision, but after reviewing the numerous candidates for the IV Sammic Scholarship for BasqueStage we’ve narrowed down the list to 30 applicants. Here they are:

Benjamin Artaiz
Perry Xu Cao
Ryan Bartley
Clayton Sanders
Prewein Changur
Gregory Heitzig
Ceren Dundar
Justin Legaspi
Briana Bryan
Kevin Martin
Kevin Phok
Jonathan Espitia Taveras
Juan Tomas Garcia Ventureyra
Matthew Mugica
Luuk Hoffman

Brenden Darby
Joshua Homacki
Maggie Kates
Albert Nguyen
Marybel Miranda
Jane Tran
Hillary Moore
Greg Acinapura
Jessica Ziman
Jonathan Kwan
Daniel Castro
Anna Sosi
Windel Antipoirta
Tien Truong
Susanne Santos

These candidates, over the next two weeks, will be competing in various mini-challenges. These will include a recipe challenge on their respective blogs and a video segment convincing judges why they should be the next BasqueStage.

Stay tuned to watch the fun unfold, as they compete for one of two spots, staging at Martín Berasategui and working in Basque Country! More details coming soon.

Last Day to Apply

Posted by marti | Posted on 31-03-2012

Category : BasqueStage

Tags: BasqueStage, Candidates, Sammic, Sammic Scholarship

Today is THE LAST DAY to apply for BasqueStage.
What are you waiting for? Get on over to the application, which takes about ten minutes to complete, and get your name in the mix!

Do you need some motivation? Why should you apply for this incredible opportunity? Well, we’ve got some reasons for you, if you really need them:

What other chance will you have to be surrounded by so many Michelin stars (four three-star restaurants, plus the many with one and two stars)?
Learn how to make all the traditional Basque dishes, like kokotxas al pil pil and patatas con chorizo.
Don’t just do a stage. Get PAID to do a stage.
There are about a million miniature reasons to live in this region of the world. They’re elaborate, delicious, and they’re called pintxos (not tapas).
Live among and learn more about one of the world’s most intriguing cultures, the Basques.
Practice your Spanish (and Basque).
Learn to cook under the wing of one of the great masters, Chef Martín Berasategui, who has restaurants across the world with Michelin stars.
Step straight into the spotlight as you chronicle your experiences on your BasqueStage blog, twitter, and videos.
One word: visa. We’ve got you covered.
Finally, don’t take our word for it. Check out the experiences our stages (current and past) have had on their blogs.

Good Luck!

Thirty second round finalists will be announced on Monday.

Why Apply? From Athena

Posted by marti | Posted on 23-03-2012

Category : BasqueStage

Tags: athena thickstun, Candidates, Sammic Scholarship

So, you know about BasqueStage, but you’re not sure whether to apply.

We’ve checked back in with our former stages to get their take on what the experience has meant to them. Here are some words from Athena Thickstun, I Sammic Scholar.

The memories of my time in the Basque country and in Spain in general are definitely vivid and have become a central component of who I am and how I face life in general back in my own country.

Being in the kitchen at Martin taught me a lot about humility, camaraderie, and dedication. It’s easy in a small kitchen to feel as though you are special; in a kitchen with upwards of 60 cooks, you realize quickly your place in the realm of the world culinary stage, and the struggles and dedication it will take to get to the top.

I still talk to the friends I made in that kitchen, and the memories of the times we spent together are some of the fondest I have. There is a lot to be said for surrounding yourself with people as passionate about a cause as you are; it is inspiring and when your stamina flounders they help to lift you up and push you ever forward.

I wouldn’t exchange my experience for anything in the world. Coming back, I feel such a cool and easy confidence in myself, in what I can do. I fear no one, I feel confident enough to walk into any restaurant in quest of knowledge. Not that I am full of myself, mind you, it is really more of a quiet, internal confidence, one that does not require vocalization. I know who I am, and I know I am capable of so much more now than I ever was before, and I am completely unafraid to pursue my dreams. I am also unafraid of the inevitable failures and roadblocks, as I now know I can forge ahead through any challenge.

It’s a tough job, but the rewards and perks make it worth it.

Apply today for round 1. You have until March 31.

BasqueStage on Eitb

Posted by marti | Posted on 09-03-2012

Category : BasqueStage

Tags: 2012, media, news, Sammic, Sammic Scholarship

Today the Sammic Scholarship for BasqueStage appeared on the front page of Eitb.com, the English portal of the largest Basque news source. The exclusive source of news about Basque Country in English, Eitb is read by people all over the world.

As the scholarship becomes more and more well-known, don’t forget that we need you too to spread the word. Have a friend that is food-obsessed? A cousin who just graduated culinary school? An acquaintance in the kitchen at your favorite restaurant? Do them a favor and tell them about BasqueStage….they stand to win 6 months paid in Basque Country, working in a 3-star Michelin restaurant.

Send them to Twitter or Facebook, where they can get more information, and of course here on the website.

You can read the article in its entirety here.

Apply: Round 1

Posted by marti | Posted on 02-03-2012

Category : BasqueStage, Registration, Sammic Scholarship

Tags: 2012, Sammic Scholarship, stage

- Important Changes in BasqueStage Application Process: Round 1 -

If you are previously familiar with the Sammic Scholarship for BasqueStage, you will know that this year, the application process looks a bit…different.

Several factors have motivated us to revise the way we choose our scholarship winners, resulting in a process that we believe is more streamlined, user-friendly, and conducive to finding us the best possible candidates. The process has been broken down into two stages. In this post, we’ll talk about Stage 1.

STAGE 1 (20TH FEBRUARY – 30TH MARCH)

The first stage will take place between February 20, 2012 and March 30, 2012, after which the applications for the scholarship will no longer be accepted.

This stage requires candidates to submit personal information, the address of their blog and twitter accounts, and answer a short question: Why do you want to be a candidate at Basque Stage?

What if you don’t have a blog or twitter account? You should still apply, but we strongly encourage you to open one, even if it is empty at the time of registration.

This simple process should take about ten minutes, and it gives us the information we need to choose thirty candidates to proceed to Round 2. These thirty candidates will be named April 1 on the BasqueStage website. More on the requirements of Round 2 later!

Apply now.

Candidate Face-Off!

Preparing For the Adventure: Luuk

Looking Back : Ruth

Scholar Spotlight: Brenden

the next step…video

announcement of finalists

Last Day to Apply

Why Apply? From Athena

BasqueStage on Eitb

Apply: Round 1

STAGE 1 (20TH FEBRUARY – 30TH MARCH)

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