Culinary Exploration students celebrate accomplishments

August 5, 2021

All eyes were on Richard, Vincent, Francesca, Nicole, Bryant and Hykeem today in Milford as family, friends and community guests celebrated the students’ completion of the four-week Summer Culinary Exploration Program in Milford.

Under the guidance of Chef Tish Badamshin, the students learned their way around the industrial kitchen. They cooked and baked favorite foods like fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, fried eggs, bacon, biscuits, pasta, cookies and much more!

In addition to working hands on in the kitchen, the students went on field trips to Red Robin, restaurants in the Harrington Raceway and Casino, Chick-fil-A, Grotto Pizza and the Food Bank farm in Newark.

All of the students successfully passed their ServSafe® food handler certification.

The students showed off their new cooking skills by preparing a sit-down meal for their guests. Students spent the week preparing lasagna, pork nachos, chicken and macaroni and cheese and chocolate chip cookies.

Chef Tish and Michelle Cephas, Workforce Program Coordinator, praised the students for their commitment and dedication to the program.

“They were always helpful,” said Chef Tish. “They are going to be missed. We had a lot of laughs.”

David Taylor, Assistant General Manager at Red Robin Restaurant in Dover, provided keynote remarks.

“The sky is the limit,” he said. “Never let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do.”

Cathy Kanefsky, Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO, was amazed by the students work this summer, “You guys are so amazing.  Every single one of you has a passion for cooking and a passion for food.”

Congratulations, graduates!

• Richard Davis
• Vincent Nicastri
• Francesca Rose Romano
• Nicole Thomson
• Bryant Waters
• Hykeem Williams