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When Chef James Sanders visited a culinary classroom at the Chicago Public Schools Tilden Career Academy last fall, he expected to talk about his path to restaurant ownership. He didn't expect one student's questions to lead to a job offer.
Kavion Turner-Winters stood out that day, asking pointed questions, then following up with Chef Sanders afterward. That initiative turned into a summer job at Sanders BBQ Supply Co., the Chicago barbecue restaurant The New York Times named one of the best in the country last year. The opportunity at Sanders BBQ Supply Co. provided real kitchen experience before heading off to college that built on skills developed through the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) culinary program.
"I love it," Turner-Winters said about the job.
Chef Sanders' visit was part of Aramark Student Nutrition's Chef Council program, which brings local chefs into CPS's Career and Technical Education culinary classrooms. Throughout the school year, chefs share their career paths, demonstrate techniques, and talk candidly with students about the realities of the industry which offers connections that sometimes extend beyond the classroom, as Turner-Winters found.
"My hope for this next generation of chefs is that they become mentally strong, carry an even deeper passion for the craft, and grow far beyond anything I have accomplished," Sanders said. "Nothing would make me prouder than seeing them become better than me."
Laura McMann, Senior Executive Chef for Aramark Student Nutrition, attended the Tilden visit. "That day, the students met someone from their community who built something meaningful and spoke honestly about the realities of the industry," she said. "Experiences like this help build confidence and show students the many ways their skills and passion can translate into a career."
CPS is looking to build on that momentum. “Our partnership with Aramark shows the importance of exposing District students to career pathways in the culinary field via CTE programming. The next generation of chefs will be CPS graduates,” said Megan Hougard, CPS College & Career Success Chief. “Relationships are fostered in the classroom and extend to business owners who want to hire locally. CPS students can be at the forefront of such opportunities.”
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