July 2004
Contact: Holly Brooker
(845) 255-1450 xt. 1301

Ulster BOCES Culinary Arts Program Receives National Recognition for Educating Future Chefs

(July 2004) Success is ‘mmm-mmm good’ for the Ulster BOCES Culinary Arts Program, which was recently recognized as one of the best culinary education programs in the state by the New York State Restaurant Association’s Education Foundation (NYSRAEF). Many culinary greats, such as the Food Network’s celebrity chef Sara Moulton, were present to congratulate honorees at the annual TY (Thank You) Award’s dinner held at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. Among the deliciously famous sat Ulster BOCES’ very own Culinary Arts staff!

“We were recognized for the integration of academics into our program and for educating the future chefs and restaurateurs of America,” relays Victor Arnao, Culinary Arts instructor at Ulster BOCES who, along with fellow instructors Irene Powell and Scott Young, attended the gala event.

The Culinary Arts program at Ulster BOCES participates in the National Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation’s (NRAEF) ProStart program, which is offered in partnership with NYSRAEF. The ProStart initiative encourages high school students to think about careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. Nationwide, ProStart involves approximately 40,000 students and well over 5,000 educators. In New York State, ProStart presently operates in 28 schools, reaching over 1,200 students and well over 70 educators.

The Pro-Start program introduces students to a comprehensive hospitality industry program at the 11th and 12th grade levels. The curriculum is geared toward the skills and competency needs of the foodservice industry and supports learning elements of the United States Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS). SCANS represents essential skills needed for high-quality job performance and is mandated by the New York State Education Department. The disciplined program includes mentoring, paid internships, entrepreneurial skills, basic business skill development, nationally certified exams, scholarships, state and national competitions, and post-secondary opportunities.

“Through ProStart, our students have great opportunities to receive money, jobs, and college credits,” says Arnao. “It was an honor for our program to receive such a nod of approval from the NYSRAEF.”