Friday Feature • Culinary Arts

Friday, November 10, 2023

Service with a smile is not only something that is taught here but it is normal to see in action when we are around those that feed our community.

When I was attending college (many years ago), I worked at Denny’s as a server to pay my tuition. I always thought it was a great experience that everyone should undertake at some point in their professional career. The job taught me the importance of quality service and giving customers the best experience possible. Service with a smile was the mantra!

To have a culinary arts program on campus that prepares students for life and this type of career path is a real “treat” to see. True to the Alfred State experience, our students learn by doing in the program. Deb Burch and her whole department do a phenomenal job preparing students while serving up wonderful food for all to enjoy.

During the recent VAST Career Day at the farm, a culinary student was on hand to sell cinnamon rolls made by the students to over 700 prospective students visiting campus. To serve the community, the department participated in the Cuba Garlic Festival and hosted an Oktoberfest dinner on the Wellsville Campus. The event was sold out, and my wife and I considered ourselves some of the lucky few who were able to taste all the wonderful food that was prepared, and served, by the students. Our VPs Carrie Cokely and Kishan Zuber even got in on the action, participating in a lab activity with Chef Kevin Scott.

The Culinary Arts department seems to quite literally be everywhere and is doing great stuff, and the proof is literally in the pudding.

Please don’t forget to pick up your spaghetti dinner at the upcoming fundraiser hosted by our culinary students on Nov. 16, the proceeds of which will go to support Derek Correa.

I can’t really talk about culinary and food service without talking about our ACES partner. Jonna Anne and her whole team at ACES are critical members of our Alfred State family.

Service with a smile is certainly their forte, as is high-quality food and service. You will frequently find me having lunch in our dining hall and raving about the food being served. A fresh pasta station, sandwiches made to order, a salad bar, and a dessert station are some of the many food selections you can choose from. You’ll see the same for our special events, at the Feast Beast, and their catering, which includes feeding groups like TG at my house after a morning of community service.

This wasn’t the kind of food I had available to me when I went to college but am thankful for ACES so that we are able to provide such dining options for our students.