16 | NOVEMBER 28 • 2024 

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OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER

tion animation through a collaboration 
with the College for Creative Studies in 
Detroit. Besides depicting chefs, look-alike 
Claymation puppets were made of the 
late Detroit Jewish News food writer Danny 
Raskin and another reviewer for several 
publications, the late Molly Abraham. They 
are both included in a section of the film 
about food/restaurant critics. 
“
At the same time these chefs were blaz-
ing new styles of cooking in their kitchens, 
the local food writers were driving the 
excitement for trying these dining experi-
ences,” Famie said.
Singer/songwriter Jill Jack, one of his long-
time friends, contributed an original theme 
song for the film, The Legends of the Stove. 
“When I know I need a certain musical 
story direction, I reach out to her and she 
hits it out of the park every time,
” Famie said. 
The documentary touches on the history 
of the culinary arts programs at Schoolcraft 
College in Livonia and the Orchard Ridge 
campus of Oakland Community College 
in Farmington Hills. The programs have 
turned out hundreds of successful chefs in 
the Detroit area. Chefs Brady, Grosz and 
Polcyn from the film are instructors work-
ing at Schoolcraft. 
Famie said he’s proud of how Michigan 
chefs and the restaurant community at large 
have played an important role for decades 
in supporting charitable events. 
“Chefs are often called upon to donate 
their food and hard work — after already 
working 60-70 hours a week — to partici-
pate at charitable events to raise money for 
worthy causes,” he said. 

AN EVENING TO REMEMBER
The Detroit: The City of Chefs event will assist five 
Michigan charities, including The Rainbow 
Connection, Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit, 
Rising Stars Academy, New Day Foundation 
for Families and Community Living Centers.
Premiere guests will have an opportunity 
to stroll through a “Chef Alley,” displays of 
local products and industry information. 
In addition, some of the film’s featured 
chefs — Certified Executive Chef Kelli 
Lewton, Polcyn, Schmidt and Brady — will 
be signing copies of their books.
Some of Famie’s favorite restaurants 
and their chefs from yesteryear include 

Keith Famie, at right, with 
Schoolcraft Culinary Arts 
students and video crew

SCHOOLCRAFT COLLEGE

Master Sommelier 
Madeline Triffon