Chef of the Year: Top of the Market’s Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald
The youngest of three children, Michael McDonald often found himself in the family kitchen, helping his mother and father prepare meals and learning how to experiment with recipes. “My mom would tell me to try everything at least once; and if I didn’t like it, I didn’t have to try it again,” explains McDonald. “It was at that early age that I began trusting my instincts and palate, and that is something I have never stopped doing.” Today, McDonald is executive chef at Top of the Market and was just named Chef of the Year by the San Diego chapter of the California Restaurant Association (CRA). The award recognizes a local chef for his community service, vision and culinary skills. Candidates are nominated by their peers and industry leaders. The Top of the Market is located on top of The Fish Market Downtown, next to the USS Midway.
Before he took the chef’s job at Top of the Market in 2009, McDonald headed culinary efforts at Brix@1601 in Hermosa Beach and before that he was executive chef at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, overseeing all kitchen operations, including those of the famous Dakota eatery. McDonald was among honorees at the CRA chapter’s 27th annual Gold Medallion Awards at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. “Because these winners are nominated, and then voted upon by their colleagues in the restaurant industry, the Gold Medallion Awards are considered a huge honor by those who receive them,” said Fred Glick, president of the CRA’s San Diego chapter.
PCL Construction Services to Build Campus Student Union
Student Union rendering
PCL Construction Services Inc. has won a design-build contract for the new $33 million University Student Union at Cal State University San Marcos, which will serve as the gateway building for the northern entrance of campus. The 89,000-square-foot project will have offices, meeting rooms, a grand ballroom, a full-service kitchen, convenience store, coffee shop, student activity areas and support spaces. Construction is to start in January with completion in October 2013. The builder is to seek a LEED Gold certification rating for the project.
PCL’s Project Manager is Michael Gallen and the Design-Build team includes Hornberger Worstell Architects, Flores Lund Civil Engineering, Land Lab Landscape Architects, DCI Structural Engineering, Webb Design Food Service, McParlane Mechanical Engineers, Randall Lamb Electrical Engineers, Dynalectric and Pac Rim Mechanical.
County Building Receives Honors
County Operations Center
The County of San Diego Operations Center has been showered with honors even before its construction has been completed. It was named the “Outstanding Governmental Building of the Year” by the California Center for Sustainable Energy, the “2011 Energy Champion for New Construction by San Diego Gas & Electric and has a LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Dan Stewart, RJC Architects’ project manager, said the first phase of the project — two, 150,000-square-foot, four-story office buildings and a parking structure — is now complete. The second phase of the $531 million project will include two administrative buildings totaling 300,000 square feet and a 20,000-square-foot conference center — all scheduled for completion in October 2012. The development team for the county project includes RJC Architects, Lowe Enterprises and Suffolk-Roel Construction Co.
Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of low-cost workshops. Fees range from $29 to $109, depending on the program. To register online, visit score-sandiego.org. For more information, call (619) 557-7272.
• June 28 – Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• June 29 – Tax Considerations for Small Business – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• June 30 – Business Basics 101 – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; no charge – please pre-register).
• July 6 – Business Plan 101: How to Develop Your Best Competitive Advantage – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $79, $89 at the door)
• July 7 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• July 8 – Professional Selling: Increase Your Business Sales Now! – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• July 8 – Financial Statements: What They Mean, How to Use Them – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• July 11 – Business Basics 101 – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; no charge – please pre-register).
• July 12 – Legal Issues for Small Business: Contracts and Leases – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• July 13 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• July 15 – Women’s Networking Breakfast and Exhibits – 8 to 11 a.m. at Morgan Run Resort & Club in Rancho Santa Fe (5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe 92091; attendees: $30 by July 12, $40 after; exhibitors: $80 by July 12, $90 after).
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865; manny@sandiegometro.com.
