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Food Services on Channel 13


13 WHAM TV's Kristen Miranda visited our kitchens last week and ran a segment on the burgeoning interest in cooking classes. Following is a copy of the article; visit their Web site to see the broadcast: https://www.13wham.com/mediacenter/?videoId=180902 Many thanks go to Diane Cheasty for providing a great interview!


Learn What’s Cooking in Rochester

Last Update: 11/21/2006 7:43:24 AM

Kristen Miranda (Canandaigua, N.Y.) -- With the popularity of the Food Channel and Bravo’s “Top Chef” reality show, it seems more people than ever want to learn more about cooking and baking--some even with the idea of opening their own restaurant or bakery.

The Rochester area offers many choices for those on many levels of skill and interest.

It's harvest pie night at the HYPERLINK "https://www.nywcc.com/learn/program_schedule6.php"New York Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua. Katie Barnum and Kathy Cooley both took the class, but had different motivations

Cooley said, "I think this is the right fit because it gives us a chance to try things you might not try at home."

Barnum said, "I love cooking. Love it. I would love to go to chef's school."

Chrys Baldwin, director of education at the culinary center, said that's pretty typical for her classes. Students range from those new to cooking to those with years of experience.

"We are a non-vocational program, so the classes are designed to be recreational in nature, but serious," Baldwin said.

However, Baldwin also said that taking individual class to a series of five, can be the starting point for some students.

"Some people have gone on to a six-month or two-year program in culinary arts. They've had enough of an introduction to the program to go on and do something else with their lives,” she said.

Monroe Community College offers AAS degree and certificate programs for those who want to make food a career.

Diane Cheasty, chairperson of HYPERLINK "https://www.monroecc.edu/etsdbs/MCCatPub.nsf/ee12489d1a1a08d0852570990067556c/ad1f06b30f82a78e85256d2500676957?OpenDocument"MCC’s Hospitality Management Program, said, "We have students out of high school--those who are displaced workers, those on their second careers…the range is 17 to 55."

After completing coursework, students can cook in a restaurant and have the skills to open their own place.

Despite her enthusiasm, Katie Barnum said she'll stick with the Wine and Culinary Institute classes, for now.

"Because of the location…and it’s fun to do with friends. And it’s really not that expensive,” she said.

Besides the classes at the HYPERLINK "https://www.nywcc.com/learn/program_schedule6.php"Wine and Culinary Institute, aspiring chefs can also take individual classes at HYPERLINK "https://www.topsmarkets.com/shareddev/sharedcontent/CookingSchool/"Tops, HYPERLINK "https://www.wegmans.com/greatMeals/cookingSchool/index.asp"Wegmans, HYPERLINK "https://adulted.monroe.edu/"BOCES, and some community education programs.

Those in interesting in taking classes at MCC, can also sign up for individual courses, but these are taught over 15 weeks.

Dianne E McConkey
Public Affairs
11/22/2006