Ice Carver, Paul Ray
Name: Paul Ray
College: Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.
Great Lakes Culinary Academy
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Book: Escoffier
Favorite Movie: Goodfellas
Favorite Food: Braised Short Ribs
Favorite Ice Sculpture: “Gateway”
Favorite Competition:
National Ice Carving Championships & hopefully World Ice Art Championships...
What do you enjoy carving?
Anything with wings
Occupation: Chef apprentice at the Greenbrier Resort in West VIrgina.
My favorite links:
Michigan native Paul Ray started his culinary career at the age of 16. He saw his first ice sculpture at a local restaurant and was impressed. At 24 Paul attended the Great Lakes Culinary Academy while working at the Bower’s Harbor Inn in Traverse City, MI. Under the guidance of his mentor, Paul was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and received several scholarships and scholastic awards. During his time at the CIA, Paul became heavily involved in the Ice Carving Club on campus and eventually became president. As president, Paul was in charge of conducting demonstrations at school and around town, and also carved and delivered ice sculptures for local businesses. He graduated the CIA in 2007 on the Dean’s list and with an award for perfect attendance.
From there, Paul was accepted into the prestigious ACF culinary apprenticeship at the world-renown Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. Under the direction of Mark Temple, Paul continued to improve in ice carving, heading up 100+ block displays annually. He moved up to lead carver and then was in charge of all the ice at the Greenbrier, including demonstrations for the culinary apprentices and carving buffet pieces all year long for the hotel. As an apprentice, Paul received 3 ACF Gold Medals in 2008: 2 for food and 1 for ice.
Winter of 2009, Paul spent over a month under the direction of Greg Butauski at Rock on Ice apprenticing and strictly focusing on ice carving. During his apprenticeship, Paul discovered the thrill of competing in ice. Greg mentored Paul in designs and building competition ice pieces. Paul traveled with Greg and his team to Branson, MO for his first NICA competition where he placed third in the amateur division, winning a bronze medal for his 1-block sculpture and qualifying him for nationals. Paul practiced hard with Greg on the importance of design and structure. At National’s in Downer’s Grove, Paul placed 4th overall in the pro category, winning a bronze for his 3-block design “The Great Escape” and silver for his 2-block design “The Patient Hunter”.
Recently, Paul competed at an ACF culinary salon and took 1st place overall, winning an additional gold medal for his buffet platter. This lead to an invitation to try out for the US culinary Olympic team in January of 2010. Paul plans to work even harder on competition designs throughout the year to prepare for this winter’s NICA ice carving competition season. He also plans on competing in the single block competition at the World Championships in Alaska in 2010 on a 2-man team. This will be a busy year for Paul Ray. Visit his website at www.PaulRayIce.com
The Patient Hunter features a spider on his web, waiting silently. Scored Silver medal at NICC in Downer’s Grove, IL, 2009.
To the right you see NICA Judges looking over “The Great Escape”. The cat is stretched and a bird is just out of his reach. This piece scored a bronze medal at the NICC in Downer’s Grove, IL 2009.
