April 23, 2006 - 5:00pm
At 18, Samantha Edmondson has learned one of the most important facts of life – education is everything.
“When you have an education, you have a better chance of getting the kind of job you like,” says this bright, mature student in Malaspina University-College’s Culinary Arts program.
Samantha “figured out” in grade 7 that she wants to pursue a career in cooking. While attending Frances Kelsey Secondary School in the Cowichan Valley, Samantha completed three years of the culinary arts program as an elective. That led her to Malaspina’s world renowned Culinary Arts program, which operates out of the secondary school through a partnership with School District #79.
Under the guidance of Chef Allan Aikman, students prepare meals for the high school cafeteria and for the Frances Kelsey Fine Dining Restaurant.
Samantha is “really enjoying” the program, especially the fact that each week she gets to try something new. “We switch stations,” she explains. “Last week, I was cooking main courses. Next week, I’ll be making soups. There’s a lot of diversity in the program. You learn quite a bit. The instructors are knowledgable, and I like the small class size. Students get a lot of individual attention.”
Samantha’s favourite is the appetizer station “because you learn a little bit of everything, including how to make soups, salads, even cooked meats. You learn to be quite creative with the plating.”
This coming June, Samantha and other Mal-U students will begin a two-month work experience placement, a requirement for graduation. “You work at a restaurant or hotel of your choice, and get to experience what it’s like working in a real kitchen,” she explains. “I’ll be going to the Rosemeade, a restaurant inside the Old English Inn & Resort in Victoria. I was told by several people that it’s a nice place, so I called them, had interview and was hired for the summer. I’m excited because they have a really interesting menu, including braised lamb cheeks. That’s not something you’ll find here in the Cowichan Valley.”
Samantha already has plenty of work experience on her resume. She's worked part-time at Bistro 161 in Duncan while attending Malaspina. “I started as a dishwasher two years ago, and now I’m a line cook," she says. "It's good experience."
As for the future? Samantha knows “there’s a lot of opportunity out there” and she's eager to work for different chefs and learn as much as possible.
Starting salaries for new Chefs range from minimum wage to about $14 per hour, depending on where you work. “You have to really love cooking,” says Samantha. “It’s an exciting profession. The best part is creating something that someone else is going to enjoy.”
One thing is certain – Samantha’s investment in a good education will serve up big advantages in the future. For information on how to apply to Malaspina’s Culinary Arts program in the Cowichan Valley, contact the registeration centre at (250) 746-3512. In Nanaimo, contact Jospheine Chong at 740-6289.
Tags: In the Community
