Terrific Teacher: Chef Jeff
By: Millaine Wells
Updated: August 19, 2012
GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (WFRV) - A week from Thursday the fall semester starts at Fox Valley Technical College.
That is where we find our August Terrific Teacher "Chef Jeff" sharing a recipe for success.
"My love of cooking comes from my love of eating I guess" jokes Chef Jeff who is the Department Chair at FVTC for Culinary Arts and Hospitality.
Chef Jeff leads the largest culinary program in the state of Wisconsin.
"He will help me out with anything I need. If I have questions he'll help me to the answer instead of just giving me the right answer" says Culinary Arts Student Katie Oskey.
"He won't do more for the student than the student is willing to do for themselves and I think that is real important" says Charlie Stephens also a student at FVTC.
The students learn hands on lessons making meals for the campus cafe.
"We feed on average 2000 people a day" says Chef Jeff. "The majority of food that is prepared is prepared by our students".
While the kitchen is great for preparing meals every day the staff at FVTC will soon have a new tool to take education even further.
"It is hard not to beam about our new culinary theater" says Chef Jeff.
The new facility opens in December thanks in part to community donations.
"Everybody is going to have a great vantage point. Digital technology is going to let us come right down to our fingertips with 80 inch screens" he says.
The program already has big bragging rights. 97 percent of students land jobs within six months of graduation.
"It is really rewarding to see that change in the time they are with us. It's awesome" says Chef Jeff.
He also raises money for student scholarships at his annual golf outing.
Last year Chef Jeff netted $10,000.
To find out more about programs at FVTC click here.
