Over the last 7 years, our Culinary Arts students have cooked for elected leaders, catered wedding receptions, ran giant events, competed nationally for scholarships, and demonstrated a commitment to excellence. To get to the next level, they need access to industry-standard commercial tools.
Help students learn valuable business skills while running a cafe.
The single most transferable group of skills we teach have to do with running a business.
Next year we are premiering a first period class devoted to helping students learn and master the accounting, inventory, technical and soft skills related to running a pastry and cappuccino cafe. Help us make this valuable class a reality!
Nuova Simonell Espresso machine and grinder – $13,000
Help students learn on commercial cooking equipment
In every banquet kitchen and large restaurant, there is at least one tilt kettle – the perfect tool for making mass quantities of stock, mashed potatoes, and SO much more.
The majority of our students are seriously considering a career in the F&B industry and LOVE helping with our large catering events. This tool will not only help students prepare for the industry, it will make our efforts to be self-supporting so much easier.
Vulcan 40 gallon Precipan Tilting Braising Pan – $32,000
Help students learn on commercial baking equipment
About a third of our students are passionate about the bakery and want to pursue careers as pastry chefs.
While we don’t have the infrastructure to install all the tools they will use in a commercial bakery, we can make a giant leap forward by adding a rotating rack oven – the exact same piece of equipment they will use in any restaurant, theme park, or hotel they get a job in, later in their career.
Blodgett XR8-G Electric Rotating Rack Oven – $26,500
Help students follow along with cooking lectures and review lessons online
With so many engaged students in each class, not everyone can easily follow along during demos. A live-streaming camera with upload ability allows everyone to see and review material before labs.
Many culinary schools already use these cameras to broadcast cooking demonstrations and upload them to the internet! Getting one for our demo kitchen will empower all our students to learn (regardless of where they can find a seat).
Vaddio DocCAM 20 HDBT OneLINK Bridge System – $7,200
Help our students compete for scholarships and prestige on the national stage
We have had three very successful years competing in culinary competitions – both on the state and the national level. Our students have gone up against well-funded teams and have done well… but for these kids to get to the next level, to land one of those coveted top positions in the country, they need the support of industry partners – for transportation and hotel stays, for the right uniforms, tools, and equipment, and for the extensive preparation necessary to be competitive.
Fund one of our state/national competition students – $1000 each
Help our students learn and work on industry-standard small equipment
Mercer Competition Knife Kit (6) $315 each
Visit our OCPS Foundation Page to make your tax-deductible gift today!
Wekiva Culinary thanks the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation for their generous supports over the past five years.
