Local Kids Learn About a Future in Food Service

Bon Appétiters love what they do — and that’s why opening the kitchen doors for behind-the-scenes tours is one of their favorite activities.

On a weekday afternoon not long ago at SAP in Palo Alto, CA, several Northern California teams shared their passion with a group of enthusiastic middle school kids, who got to learn about the wide variety of careers available to them in food service.

The girls enjoying snacks while they sport their new Bon Appétit gear

The girls enjoying snacks while they sport their new Bon Appétit gear

Participants in the Boys & Girls Club of East Palo Alto’s enrichment and after-school programs toured SAP’s new Café 8; met with Bon Appétit chefs, managers, and marketing, human resources, and accounting representatives; and then enjoyed a fantastic spread of sweet and savory snacks prepared by SAP Executive Chef Melissa Miller and her team.

For many of the kids, this visit was their first to a commercial kitchen. Melissa wowed them with her large-scale kitchen equipment, mystery culinary tools, and a brief but shriek-inducing foray into the walk-in. The kids watched raptly as SAP chefs and cooks prepared beef and vegetable sliders, which they got to devour later.

The kids “cool off” in the walk-in

The kids “cool off” in the walk-in

After a brief kitchen tour, the kids went on a “career scavenger hunt,” visiting tables manned by Bon Appétiters representing catering, café management, marketing, human resources, finance, administration, and culinary. They asked focused questions to earn stickers, which they later redeemed for special treats: Bon Appétit caps and a pint of Farm to Fork strawberries!

At the end of the afternoon, Bon Appétiters and the kids chatted and joked as they enjoyed sliders, TCHO chocolate, Farm to Fork peaches and strawberries, and cheese and crackers. The knowledge they gained will help these kids follow a successful career path — maybe even one that brings them to Bon Appétit!

Submitted by Shannon Hulley, Marketing Manager, to Bravo magazine

 

Caption for top image: Chef/Manager Robert Perez, Line Cook Jameson Winters, and Chef de Cuisine Jesus Zaragoza discuss culinary careers with a student from the Boys & Girls Club