Nearing the end of the school year, students across Hagerty select their classes for the upcoming school year. When they number electives based on preference, one class stands out near the top of hundreds of students’ lists.
As one of the most popular and prestigious courses on campus, the culinary program serves countless students every year, but one teacher’s abrupt exit has left them scrambling for more than just eggs.
An unforeseen challenge faced the culinary department this year, as Culinary 2 teacher Ellen Pesce left without warning. However, culinary department head Matthew Thompson is confident in the department’s ability to overcome the challenge.
“We have a fantastic sub next door, Cheryl Orlando,” Thompson said. “She’s going to take over there temporarily.”
Orlando, who taught for 33 years in New York before her 8 year tenure at Hagerty, is no stranger to the world of food and food safety. She has proctored the food safety tests for culinary classes for several years, and has worked in concession for large venues like the Kia Center and the FBC Mortgage Stadium for UCF. She draws upon these experiences and qualifications when discussing her thoughts on filling in the chef’s absence.
Students have been at peace with the change, though some said it was odd having someone else teaching the class. Upon hearing that the expected teacher had suddenly left, many students were surprised.
“I wasn’t expecting Chef Pesce to do that, but I’m not going to switch out, because I really want to go to high level culinary,” said culinary student Anusha Muley.
“[The key is] not switching subs every week, so we feel comfortable,” said Thompson.
The culinary program has made it clear that its priority is to keep the kids first, an ideology echoed by Orlando.
“I love you guys so much, and [the students] just want somebody to be supportive,” Orlando said. “I think of them.” The main challenge left to face is the process of finding a permanent replacement for the absent chef.
“It could be six or seven weeks, and it could be October before we get somebody in there, and I can’t expect those kids to just sit there…. it’s not what they signed up for,”said Thompson. There are many things to take into account when hiring someone new, with the biggest factor in the decision being the students. There are numerous background checks and screening processes involved in even becoming a candidate for the job.
“They have a passion for cooking, but even more than that, have a passion for teaching. I can tell you I’m a much better teacher than I am a cook,” Thompson said.
Overall, the culinary program faced an unprecedented dilemma a few days before the school year started, but has handled it with care and ease. A reliable substitute, passionate students, and an experienced director were able to get students cooking and returning to business as usual. The program is optimistic that this will be another great year for Culinary 2.
