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Michele Stalnaker

Beckley chef helps students cook up recipes for a happy life

This article appeared in the Register-Herald on Feb. 8, 2004.

By BEV DAVIS

On any given day, Chef Michele Stalnaker finds herself in a kitchen with a batch of students who dream of a career in culinary arts or the hospitality industry.

As director of the culinary arts programs at Mountain State University in Beckley, she cooks up the day-to-day class activities that prepare them for those goals.

Helping to shape their hopes and dreams gives this Beckley native a sense of fulfillment many people never find.

"I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I love to do - which is to be around food and all the aspects of dealing with food - and to help aspiring chefs reach their goals," Stalnaker said. "I love coming to work. I look forward to seeing my students and watching them progress over the course of the program."

Stalnaker practically grew up in the kitchen. Her Koeniger family heritage gave her a love of Italian food, and a big family offered her plenty of opportunities to learn her way around a kitchen. By age 16, Stalnaker knew she would end up in some type of food-related business.

"At age 11, I was baby-sitting. I would make everybody's birthday cakes. At home, I would get up on Sunday morning and fix omelets for my family. I was always comfortable in the kitchen."

Like many baby boomers, Stalnaker wishes she had paid more attention to her late grandmother's cooking.

"We had the traditional Italian dinner on Sunday, and my grandmother would cook every kind of Italian food you could imagine. We had all the old traditions - putting a silver dollar in the cabbage rolls on New Year's Day and celebrating different holidays with special dishes. I didn't pay enough attention, and I'll always regret that," she said.

She was also influenced by her aunt, Anne Lorenz, owner of The Char.

"There have been a lot of people motivate me to have an interest in all aspects of food preparation and management," Stalnaker said. "It was just an interest that started when I was young, and it just keeps growing."

During her senior year at Woodrow Wilson High School, Stalnaker took a food management course at the former vocational-technical school in Beckley, where she met instructor Karen Bledsoe.

"She got me into different food competitions and gave me some experience in getting out and seeing a broader view of culinary arts," Stalnaker said.

Beckley chef David Walker also helped widen her horizons, and Stalnaker headed to Wheeling, where she earned an associate's degree in culinary arts from West Virginia Northern Community College.

She's also earned her credentials with a certified executive degree from the American Culinary Federation and serves as its president this year.

Wherever she has been, Stalnaker said family support has kept her going through the tough times. The daughter of Anna and Roy Koeniger always found their encouragement to be right on time when she needed it. "I've had the most supportive mother and father anyone could have. They have always been able to see the positive side of things, even when I couldn't," Stalnaker said.

In 1989, Stalnaker was accepted into the apprenticeship program at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs.

While there, she had the opportunity to participate in the Culinary Olympic team in Frankfort, Germany. The United States ranked seventh out of a field of 22 countries participating.

"I really worked hard to get ready for that. I was working 12-hour shifts at The Greenbrier and spending about four hours a day working with the man who was helping me train for the event."

Another landmark experience occurred when Stalnaker met Greenbrier chef and charcutiere Eric Stalnaker. The two were married in 1994 - just two months after Michele opened Temptation Catering in Beckley.

Working with mentor and longtime friend Karen Bledsoe, Stalnaker enjoyed the frantic world of catering.

"We specialized in seven-course dinners that we prepared in people's homes. It was wild, but I loved it. I've enjoyed everything I've done," she said.

The Stalnakers welcomed their first child, Wyatt, in 1996. "The front of my catering business looked like a day care," Stalnaker chuckled. "I had all his stuff everywhere."

Off-premise catering gets old, and when Dr. Cecil Graham opened Saddlebred Golf Club in 1997, Stalnaker was happy to take on all aspects of food management there.

"I was the food and beverage director. I was the chef. I booked the parties. It was a sweet deal. We hosted a bridge club, had cigar parties and hosted large bridal parties and special occasions. It was a lot of fun."

Pregnant with her second child in 1998, Stalnaker became the executive chef at Princeton Community Hospital.

"I started there in September and Ashley was born in December," she said.

After four years there, Stalnaker took a job at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, but was presented an offer too good to turn down. She had been there only two months when she had the opportunity to move from an adjunct teaching position at Mountain State University to a full-time slot.

"This opportunity to head up the culinary arts department was the chance of a lifetime. I knew the time was right," Stalnaker said.

She took on the role in 2002 and shakes her head in amazement at all the progress she's seen with the program.

"I knew it would grow, but I had no idea it would grow as fast or as large as it has. I'm so proud of the students who come into this program. They are so eager to learn and they are just great to work with. My job is hard, but they make it extremely enjoyable."

Now in its third year, the culinary arts program has a new home in the former Heilig-Meyers building in Uptown Beckley. With ample space for three culinary arts labs equipped with state-of-the art cooking and baking equipment, Stalnaker has a more efficient space in which to train her aspiring chefs.

"This is a dream come true, if there ever was one. If it had not been for the vision of Dr. (Charles) Polk and the board of directors, this wouldn't have happened. I'm so pleased with all we have to offer here. This opens up so many more opportunities for the classes who train here in an environment that's so attractive and comfortable," Stalnaker said.

Her role at MSU allows Stalnaker more time with her extended family - sisters Melissa Lilly, her husband Ricky and daughter Emma, and Donna Basham and husband Tony and son Ashton.

"Family is important to me and I feel so lucky to be back in this area where I can spend more time with my own husband and children, but with the rest of my family as well," Stalnaker said.

"I'm back home. I'm doing what I love to do and I have great students. Who could ask for anything more?"