South Carolina ProStart Leadership Training, an annual conference for culinary arts educators was hosted this year in Aiken from Sept. 12-13. Local culinary arts instructor Jean Gorthy of Aiken High School said she was thrilled that a portion of the event was hosted in her classroom kitchen.
“That was just everything, to get to have them here,” she said.
The conference, held at varying locations across South Carolina each September, is tailored for ProStart educators throughout the state. ProStart educators are high school teachers who use the ProStart curriculum developed by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation to instruct their culinary arts classes.
Over the course of two days, ProStart educators were able to gain insight from industry professionals in Aiken and the surrounding area. The agenda included a tour of Titans Farm in Ridge Spring, tours of New Moon Cafe, La Parisienne and The Willcox, and a culinary presentation by Greg Mueller, director of culinary innovation with recteq grills.
“Doing things with Ms. Gorthy and Aiken High and the ProStart program, I think, are really important,” said Mueller. “Giving time back to the teachers that are educating the students on culinary arts is really important for chefs by trade."
Several ACPSD educators received awards during a teacher appreciation dinner on the night of September 12. Award recipients included Silver Bluff High's Blake West, Midland Valley High's Corey Lenon, South Aiken High's Kimberly Bush, North Augusta High's Martha Singer, and Aiken High's Jean Gorthy. Congratulations to these outstanding educators!
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Article and Photo by:
Erin Weeks / Aiken Standard
eweeks@aikenstandard.com