Getting Started
When stepping foot on campus for the first time, things can feel pretty overwhelming. Some students know exactly what they are there for, while others are completely lost. With dozens of degrees and six different pathways to choose from, it can be hard to figure out what to do. For those interested in the culinary arts, however, the choice is made simple.
With two degree programs, two certificates, and professional chef instructors, it’s easy to see how appealing the culinary department is to interested students. With all the amazing things the department does, it’s enticing even to those with no clear direction. In fact, you can check out some of their cool activities on their Instagram and Facebook pages.
Over this past summer, I worked at the welcome center here at Gulf Coast as a student ambassador, giving tours to prospective students. One day, I was lucky enough to give a tour of the culinary department. It was impressive, to say the least. At the time, I didn’t know enough about the department to do it justice on the tour. Thankfully, I was able to enlist the help of Paul Bonnette, our Instructional Coordinator of Hospitality and Culinary. He was more than happy to lend me a hand and guided the tour through culinary’s facilities, classrooms, and hallways. By the end of it, I learned just as much as the prospective student!
Image by Дарья Яковлева from Pixabay
The Tour
As we stepped through the doors, the size and complexity of the kitchen immediately struck me. I’ve always looked through the glass windows anytime I passed by, but being inside the space was like entering a whole other world. They have a fully stocked kitchen with enough stoves, grills, sinks, and prep tables to cook for an entire army. Seasonings and equipment lined the shelves and filled the cabinets. Although there was nobody in there cooking at the time, I could already imagine how amazing it must smell.
Image by El Sun from Pixabay
Next, we looked at the classroom, which was a cozy little lecture hall just past the kitchen. Here we learned how culinary effectively balances the students’ time between lectures and hands-on work. This hybrid learning, combined with expert tutelage from the chefs, truly prepares students to enter the workplace directly after graduation.
Hands-On Learning
Generally speaking, Gulf Coast State College provides high levels of hands-on, industry-level experience, and culinary is no exception. In fact, the culinary department provides students with many opportunities to practice their skills in real-life scenarios. Culinary students cook, bake, and serve at events ranging from foundation dinners to visits from important political figures. I’ve even been lucky enough to attend several foundation dinners myself over the years as a saxophonist providing music and have sampled the food. I particularly remember a piece of bacon-wrapped shrimp that tasted even better than things I’ve eaten at a restaurant.
We concluded the tour by viewing the John Holley Dining Room, where the department hosts special dinners and provides many of these opportunities. By the end of it, I felt inspired. As a child, I often imagined growing up to become a chef. My interests have shifted since then and I’ve developed a passion for digital media, but I rekindled my sense of culinary wonder by the end of the experience. It was also incredible to see how excited the new student was, too. I truly enjoyed my time working in the welcome center and moments like this were a big part of it. Creating an environment where young students can discover their passions and develop an incredible skillset is exactly what Gulf Coast is all about and I enjoyed being involved.
I encourage anyone interested in culinary to take the next step and join the department. You can learn even more by checking out the website and speaking to a faculty member here!
