For the past six weeks, Calgary’s longstanding Teatro Group has been providing aspiring culinary-focused high school students with a chance to receive robust hands-on training and experience at all six of the restaurant group’s local establishments.
Led by the restaurant group's executive chef Matthew Batey, the program offered eight students over the age of 16 the opportunity to cultivate their culinary prowess at celebrated eateries like Teatro and Alforno, working within specific disciplines such as baking and pastry, production and batch cooking, butchery, and more.
“I am very excited to see the next generation of Culinarians showing such dedication to the craft,” says Batey. “I am honoured that we can give these dynamic young people a real insight into the industry.”
Though many high schools offer culinary classes, this unique program with its on-site learning approach is the first of its kind in Calgary. As the latest addition to The Educational Partnership Foundation’s (TEPF) Trades Career Program, students were able to accumulate 130 hours of training while earning five high school credits along the way.
“These innovative Trades Careers programs at TEPF help students recognize that becoming a skilled tradesperson opens the door to respected, well paying careers.” explains TEPF President and CEO Barb Simic. “We believe students are benefiting from our unique off campus education experience that also addresses the significant labour shortages facing Alberta as nearly 45,000 skilled workers are needed over the next 10 years.”
The annual Culinary Program is set to happen again in early 2022, with training sessions commencing in April. More information regarding all upcoming Trades Career programming can be found online.
