(left to right) – Culinary students from the Charter School of Educational Excellence with X20 owner Peter Kelly at Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival on June 8, 2024. Photo by Chloe Wareham-Gordon.
Students from the Charter School of Educational Excellence (CSEE) participated in Westchester Magazine’s prestigious Wine & Food Festival on June 8.
CSEE’s high school culinary students visited the festival’s chef demonstration area, where they observed top chefs in action, learning firsthand about the art of food preparation and plating. This unique experience allowed students to immerse themselves in the culinary world, gaining valuable insights from seasoned professionals.
“We are incredibly proud of our students for their participation in such a prestigious event,” said CSEE co-founder and trustee Sobeida Cruz. “This experience has given them a real-world perspective on the culinary arts and hospitality industry, which is invaluable for their future careers.”
In addition to observing, the students played an active role by assisting in serving exquisite dishes to festival attendees. This hands-on experience not only enhanced their culinary skills but also provided them with a deeper understanding of the hospitality industry.
Held annually, this multiday celebration of gastronomy is renowned for its vibrant showcase of wine, food, chefs, restaurants, beer, and spirits, featuring tastings, parties, a burger contest, cooking exhibitions, and more.
The involvement of CSEE’s culinary students underscores the school’s commitment to providing experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for success in their chosen fields.
The CSEE’s industrial kitchen opened in 2021 as part of the $27 million high school building at 220 Warburton Ave. The school emphasizes academic achievement, while also offering students practical vocational opportunities that can help students pay for their higher education.
Besides culinary arts, the CSEE also offers automotive opportunities with a state-of-the-art auto lab, a fully functional auto service garage with two hydraulic lifts, an alignment lift, and a classroom separate from the garage.
