This fall quarter, GHC’s Culinary Arts program officially welcomed its first students! Since November 2024, Chef Nina Urioste, – the program’s lead faculty – has gone above and beyond to equip the culinary kitchens that foster student learning and develop a meaningful, rigorous curriculum. In support of Chef Nina’s passion and diligent work toward the program’s launch, the Foundation was able to outfit the kitchens with the tools and equipment needed to create the best possible learning environment for Culinary Arts students. Special thanks are owed to the Marian J. Weatherwax Trust, which allowed the purchase of necessary appliances like the program’s lineup of brand new KitchenAid mixers; to Journey Campaign donors who supported the program’s creation; and to US Foods, who generously donated a professional chef coat for every student, tailored to the student’s size and embroidered with their name.
Students are already loving the Culinary Arts experience. In her scholarship thank-you letter, Allie Thobois wrote: “I originally chose GHC primarily for its local accessibility, but it has since proven to be one of the most amazing educational experiences I have had. The supportive and kind community, including the diverse people I have met, has been incredible. My deep passion for cooking and baking is why I selected the Culinary Arts program. Ultimately, my long-term career goal is to become a private chef or secure a culinary position. Achieving this will allow me to use my skills to fully support my family and meet my primary goal of being a devoted parent. The skills and connections I gain through GHC are the critical first steps toward making this professional aspiration a reality.”
