Students Visit Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy

Last week, we took Apopka High School’s College Career and Access Network (CCAN) Club on a trip to the Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Orlando. Many of the students had seen the school’s TV commercials, but going there in person was a truly exciting experience for them.

Cooking demo

They toured the school, learning all about Le Cordon Bleu’s facilities, program offerings and competitions. (The group also got to see the inside of a teaching kitchen up close.) Then, the CCAN club eagerly asked one of the school’s trained chefs about the culinary world. Q&A topics ranged from baking techniques like how to decorate cakes with sugar to the purpose of a chef’s uniform.

Getting advice from the chefs

However, the most interesting part of visit was a surprise cooking demonstration. Chefs usually don’t do cooking for student groups, but the CCAN club had the privilege seeing a chef prepare salmon on the spot. Students learned step by step how to cook the fish until perfection, then they each got to try a piece with salmon. The students loved the interactive demonstration (and the snack).

Bringing the CCAN Club to visit schools like Le Cordon Bleu is just one of ways that Hope CommUnity Center encourages students to plan for their futures. The CCAN Club at Apopka High School is a student driven organization that is supported by our College and Career Access Program. Members regularly meet to discuss career interests, college prep, ACT/SAT testing and options after high school graduation. They also gain skills for success in life through enrichment activities and presentations from guest speakers.