Bill to pave way for foreign chefs

Tuesday, July 3, 2001 | 10:07 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign are tackling a foreign chef shortage in their newest legislative proposal.

Reid, D-Nev., and Ensign, R-Nev., introduced a bill late last week that would make it easier for restaurants that specialize in international cuisines to bring skilled foreign chefs to the United States. The Culinary Worker Relief Act would offer special work visas to foreign chefs, similar to those currently offered to certain educators, scientists, athletes and artists.

The visas also would be offered to sommeliers, or restaurant wine specialists, and other specialty cooks or "highly trained food workers," according to Reid staffers.

The law would clarify specific criteria for specialty cooks, which would give the Immigration and Naturalization Service clear guidelines to follow in defining who qualified for the special work visas.

"Chefs are artists too. They should get the same consideration," Reid said in a written statement.

The bill would aid Nevada in particular, the Nevada senators said.

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