In culinary arts master classes, Chef Sage educates band program students at partner high schools on the culinary arts and entrepreneurial career opportunities available in the culinary industry. Content includes:
- emphasis on alternative careers: in-home chefs, catering, ghost kitchens and food trucks
- insights into best business practices and career options
- nutrition, food shopping and cooking basics
- introduction to distressed neighborhood food deserts, community partnerships and activism
The culinary industry is filled with entrepreneurial opportunities and, much like music, harnesses students’ creativity, innovation and determination to succeed. Culinary work can help support students during university-level education or the pursuit of a professional musical career. Or it can be a student’s passion to create their own business in the culinary industry.
The master classes include highly-interactive discussion of business fundamentals, food prep demos and food tastings. Guest university and industry pros also provide insights. Sessions will be available on HAPCO’s YouTube channel.
Series 1 master classes are for the full band program, reaching 70-100 students per school. Classes include a cooking demo and meal service for the students, in conjunction with pre-game prep where possible.
In Series 2, highly-interested students attend deeper-dive master classes and are incorporated into community nutrition classes, providing hands-on training, public interaction and chef mentoring.
- Evans High School | Mario L. Ford, Dir of Bands
- Oct 6 / Oct 26 | Oak Ridge High School | Krystal Campbell-Adkins, Dir of Bands
- Ocoee High School | Bernie Hendricks, Dir of Bands
#HAPCOFoodBusiness
About Chef Sage
Growing up in a household of immigrant parents, Chef Sage saw the time and energy needed to prepare astonishing meals for everyone to enjoy. He spent most of his childhood watching his mother get up early to prepare and cook fresh, authentic Haitian cuisine before she would head off to complete a 10-hour work day.
That devotion and dedication sparked his interest in the culinary industry. He has worked for corporations including Landry’s, Inc. Sage’s Kitchen has created incredible cuisine for NFL and NBA athletes and businesses including Disney World.
This Culinary Arts Master Class series is made possible by a 2023 Grassroots Grant from Central Florida Foundation (CFF). This grant is a result of CFF’s ongoing mission to assess community needs and support innovative solutions to complex social issues within the Central Florida region. Learn more at cffound.org.