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Lauren Day highlights Area 30 culinary program
With only a few regular items to approve on its agenda, Area 30 Career Center’s interlocal board got a pulse on the success of its culinary program Tuesday morning.
Instructor and chef Lauren Day highlighted how the program has reached out to the community, as well as the dedication and enthusiasm of her students and the program’s growth.
Day’s background is primarily in pastry arts, but also has training in international cuisine generally. She has worked in bakeries and taught adult cooking classes in Indianapolis, and was also involved in opening a restaurant in Carmel.
Day was hired to replace longtime instructor Mary Anne Birt in April of last year. She noted that she previously was a high school representative for the Art Institutes and had visited Area 30.
With the present, Day noted that the program is effectively at full capacity with 22 students divided between morning and afternoon. Four students who were juniors last year returned, with more juniors having enrolled this year.
A newfangled initiative that has become popular is monthly meals at the Good Day Café, which she said has sold out every service so far. The venture allows students to create dishes from scratch and serve them.
The restaurant flip-flops between breakfasts and lunches so that both sections can host meals. They are by reservation only and menus are sent out to those on an email list.
“We have great support from the community,” Day said. “They (the students) get incredibly excited when they hear the feedback, and at the end they’re on cloud nine because they’ve had so much fun.”
Other than lab fees, the program is self-funded by the restaurant and other initiatives. The money the students have worked to raise has gone toward a new sous vide machine and a deep fryer, and an ice cream maker is also on tap.
“I just really appreciate your energy and passion with what you’re doing, and it’s showing,” South Putnam Supt. Corey Smith commented.
“It’s such a privilege,” Day said in turn, emphasizing how some students will ask to come when they are not expected to. “I love coming to work every day. The students love being here.”
In other business:
• Executive Director Chad Nunley said Area 30 recently applied for a Perkins Reserve Grant supporting the transition of the health careers program to a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) one. If awarded, the grant would be used to purchase equipment.
• Nunley said Area 30 had received a $4,000 Perkins Assessment Grant to be used exclusively for students taking state-recognized industry tests. He said the funds would be divided among the programs.
With Asst. Director Sharon Bone and Eminence Supt. Wesley Hammond absent, Nunley was joined by Smith, Treasurer Cindy Burnham and superintendents Jeff Gibboney, Greg Linton and Nicole Allee.
The next regular meeting of the Area 30 Board is set for Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 9 a.m. in the Old National Trail boardroom.