It’s back to school time, but over the break, Pickens Technical College’s
Culinary Program put on a feast for members of the Boys & Girls Clubs
of Metro Denver. 150 family members, volunteers, and employees were served
savory pot roast, mashed potatoes with gravy, baked macaroni and cheese,
spring baby greens, and holiday cupcakes, and candied pretzels. The event
was championed by Culinary Arts students when asked what they could do
for their community.
“The idea came from our student Teon Holt. He attended this same
B&G club as a child. In 2009 he was Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro
Denver Youth of the Year,” says Culinary Arts instructor Tiffani
Antinora. Holt indeed was a shining star at the Boettcher branch of an
organization with many locations throughout the United States and several
in the Denver area. Holt says it had a significant impact on his life,
and he’s not the only one.
The Boettcher branch is a particularly beloved Boys & Girls Club in
Denver. It has an education center, cultural arts center, technology lab,
weight training room, kitchen, gym, social recreation room, and a teen
game room. Kids of all ages can come together in a safe space and be themselves
while learning and forming important relationships.
The Culinary Arts program at PTC emphasizes community service in part because
“Students learn how they can give back to their community through
their work in the Culinary industry,” says Antinora. What good is
a chef who doesn’t use their skill to help the community and learn
how to care for people? That’s why Holt and his classmates decided
to host an event for the entire Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver
community. This latest holiday service project exemplified the importance
of community outreach and taught the students that giving back to their
community can be extremely rewarding, especially near the holidays.
It’s projects like these that draw the community to the Culinary
Arts program at PTC, and why employers are usually so keen on hiring Pickens
graduates in the field they want to work in. At Pickens, you get not only
top-notch classroom instruction, you get the essence of what being a professional
is all about. In the culinary world, it’s about the community and
giving back to the people who support you. It can be moments like the
ones at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver feast that sustain
careers and inspire people.
When asked about her favorite moment from the event, Antinora described
Holt interacting with some of the children: “It was great seeing
Teon serving the children, he was the inspiration for this community service
project.”
Emily Bobrick, Cultural Arts Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Metro Denver, described her favorite scene from the event:
"My favorite moment from the event was introducing Teon and talking
about when we used to make and sell breakfast burritos in the mornings
during our summer program. Teon was about 12 then, and would talk about
wanting to be a chef when he grew up while we were scrambling eggs and
frying bacon. It is hard to find words to describe the pride I felt in
seeing that dream come full circle. I have worked with hundreds of kids
in my time here. Many we have lost track of, some have graduated from
high school and even college, some continue to face challenges and have
not yet met success, so it is absolutely incredible to still get to see
the rare few that are able to persevere and achieve their goals, knowing
that the work we do played a part in that success. The fact that Teon
pushed his classmates to do their service at our club is a true testament
to the impact that we have had on his life. I have worked in youth development
for nearly 20 years, and that was one of the proudest moments of my career."
Every year, many programs at PTC work with community organizations and
businesses to form partnerships with its community in the Denver area.
There are many options for a Pickens graduate using these connections
after graduation. You might learn a thing or two.