Food exec shows off his stuff as bartender
Radostin Raykov, a master certified food executive and member of the Northern Illinois Branch of the International Food Service Executive Association, placed in the top 12 during the Iron Bartender Competition presented by the U.S. Bartender's Guild and Santé Magazine.
Radostin, a student of hotel and restaurant management at Harper College, Palatine, is a native of Bulgaria, and tends bar at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook. He was previously the bar supervisor at Chiava Bar & Lounge in Des Plaines. He began bartending at the Chili's Restaurant in Kildeer.
The Iron Bartender contest, was held at Le Passage on Rush Street in Chicago.
• The following students from performed in the 14th annual Festival of Pianos held at Randhurst Shopping Center in October: Carol Chen; Elizabeth Strba; Allison and Eric Toriumi; Dani Wright; Anna Gorro; Alex Slepak; Andrew Bert; and Alisa Nishimura, all of Buffalo Grove. Isaac Lippe of Deerfield. Mark Wiberg of Des Plaines. Caressa, Jaclyn and Stephanie Chan; Kelly, Sean and Steve Rogers; Madeline Vanko; and Abbie Kaser, all of Elk Grove Village. Emily Collins of Glenview. Allison Meyer of Hawthorn Woods. Kristin and Adam Ross of Hoffman Estates. Jackie Fisher; Olivia Kern; Kevin Yang; and Nadia Schmidt, all of Long Grove. Adrienne and Cindy Stackwell; Peter and Julie Blackham; Annabelle and Matthew Cheng; Joseph and Darien Zhao; Tarrant and Bendita Qian; Rachel Loh; Lisa Kehe; and Patrick Geregach, all of Palatine. Justin and Kristin Lee; and Ian and Julia Johnsonof Prospect Heights. Charles Walberg; Greg Ferdinand; and Stephanie Durkacz, all of Mount Prospect. Christian, Sophie and Ben Hyde; and Sarika Temme-Bapat of Schaumburg.
• Northwest Suburban United Way elected the following officers for fiscal year 200708: President, Michael S. Abruzzini, president of Buffalo Grove Bank & Trust; first vice president, Gregory Guarrine, superintendent of Prospect Heights School District 23; second vice president, James Tansor, Nicor; treasurer, Gary A. Cueno, JP Morgan; secretary, Susan Bondy, Schwarz Supply Source.