The Gilbreath Reed Career and Technical Center culinary and hospitality students teamed up to host a wonderful Mardi Gras celebration Wednesday, Feb. 20.
Upon arrival, diners were taken to a Mardi Gras themed dining room where they enjoyed delicious smoothies as they visited with center staff and other guests.
The students were gracious and attentive hosts and the food was delicious and beautifully presented in large muffin tins. The dishes included Seafood Gumbo, Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya, Creole Shrimp, Blackened Snapper with Lump Crab Meat & Citrus Sauce and Crawfish Cakes with Sauce Piquant & Smoked Pineapple Relish. All were delicious, as was the dessert, King Cake Bread Pudding.
Chef Alex Bar-Sela and Chef Rob Richards, who teach the culinary students, along with Hospitality Program Director Etinne Walker, provided short explanations of the culinary arts and hospitality programs and praised the hard work of the students.
Bar-Sela, whose cooking career began at Yellowstone National Park, learned Italian, Southwestern, New Orleans Creole and American Nouvelle cuisine in Houston. He has since owned restaurants, taught literature in Mexico and traveled. In 2008, the chef moved back to Texas and taught English for eight years before joining the staff at Garland ISD’s GRCTC to teach Culinary Arts.
Richards, as a way of giving back, enjoys sharing the art of cooking with young people. Living in Texas, he began his career as a dishwasher and prep cook. He was thrilled when he was given a chance to work with his first chef.
Richards’ creations have been served to two presidents, various government officials and numerous celebrities. He has also planned menus and served for galas with the Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks. In addition to sharing his talent with students at the GRCTC, this award-winning chef owns Two Skillets consulting and catering company and is a chef partner with the Pantry Restaurant in downtown McKinney.
Walker, who earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Family & Consumer Sciences, has been an educator for more than 16 years. Her first teaching job was at her former high school at the School of Education & Social Services at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center in Dallas ISD. Some of the classes she has taught include: culinary arts; nutrition and wellness; child development; travel and tourism management; and hospitality services. Walker later earned her master’s degree in Education and Administration then served as an administrator.
She has also owned her own company and worked for Hilton Worldwide in the reservations and customer care areas. She currently helps businesses train new hires in the customer service and revenue optimization areas. Walker has also worked with her family’s catering business since the age of 12.
In the GRCTC hospitality program, students receive classroom training as well as practical experience at the Coffee Shop & Bristro at the center, Curtis Culwell Event Center and local hotels.
The culinary arts program is a hands-on experience that introduces the art of cooking and advanced techniques. The students learn what it takes to be successful in the industry as well as management and production skills.