Composting with 34 and More
Every week, our Pre-Voc students drop off our compost from the Culinary Arts Suite to one of the 34 and More compost drop offs in the city of Buffalo. Composting our food waste weekly helps us leave as small of a footprint as possible when it comes to waste, and educates our students about the importance of food waste. This also encourages our students and the community to think about their food beyond buying and cooking. To learn more, visit buffalorecycles.org/.
Buffalo Community Fridge
Students in all of our classes learned the importance of giving back to our community through food distribution and minimizing waste. Any time the kitchen has extra food or ingredients that would not be used otherwise, they are walked over to our local Buffalo Community Fridge. This is a mutual aid network of fridges with a goal of strengthening communities and addressing food insecurity. We discuss the importance of a healthy balanced diet, and making sure those ingredients are available to all. To get involved or learn more about the fridges, visit
www.buffalocommunityfridges.com/
Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
During our Restaurant and Banquet training session, our hospitality students had a unique opportunity to put their banquet training skills to the test! Cory Watson, the Convention Center’s Director of Food and Beverage, prepared an area for the students to practice several tasks that are assigned when setting up for an event. From applying chair covers to folding napkins, our students had so much fun learning and creating a beautiful table arrangement!
Buffalo Niagara Partnership
This past summer, our hospitality students were invited to participate in a bus tour (organized by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership) that highlighted several businesses in the Customer Service industry. Visiting locations such as Univera Health Care, Wegman’s and Independent Health, students were able to meet and chat with industry professionals who pride themselves on going above and beyond for their customers.
Hilton Garden Inn
During our Front Desk Representative training, our hospitality students were able to participate in
a 2-day on site learning experience with the Hilton Garden Inn. From decorating the lobby for March Madness to riding along on an airport shuttle pick-up, students had an awesome opportunity to really understand what it means to create next level, personalized, guest service
experiences.
Thanksgiving Meals
Continuing with our Thanksgiving tradition, the Culinary Arts Suite partnered with our Hospitality Program to host a sit-down Thanksgiving meal for Community Habilitation. We also were able to serve over 120 packaged meals to families under the auspice of our Specialized Services, Victim Services and Advocacy Programs, and to the Community as a whole. All in all, our kitchen was able to prepare and make 200 meals that offered not only learning opportunities in the kitchen but a way to give back during this time of reflection and gratitude.