Vernon FBLA students study Disney

VERNON — Students at Vernon Township High School who are considering a career in the hospitality and tourism industry recently had an exciting opportunity to explore their interest with one of the predominant leaders in that industry, Disney.
Students in the FBLA club attended the “Cook Around the World” event, which provided a blend of hands-on learning experiences, networking opportunities and a bit of that world-famous entertainment, not simply as a passive item on their itineraries, but as a crucial element of the business. Students at VTHS can earn a CTE certificate after exploring classes and activities that provide an introduction to both front of the house and back of the house operations.
The first day featured a “Behind the Seeds” private tour in Epcot where Disney pulled back the curtain and showed students where their food comes from. Innovative watering systems and nutrient solutions were on display and participants were taught about the symbiotic relationship between plants and bugs. Students saw giant winter melons weighing in at over 40 pounds. The most cutting-edge techniques in hydroponics, aeroponics, and agriculture were on display throughout the tour.
The FBLA students’ culinary abilities were tested in the headlining competition of the event. The rules were simple: each group of students needed to produce a main dish, side dish, cupcake with a design, a menu, and a decorative poster to represent their “food truck.”
Participants organized their roles within the team ahead of time and worked to their strengths. Whether it was cooking, prepping, or designing, the Vernon FBLA members worked cohesively and put forth a strong showing. In the end, one Vernon group took home a medal for “Best Side Dish” with their fantastic adaptation of the classic Italian dish “Bruschetta.”
Disney showed off its high-quality hospitality connections by bringing in four experts, two chefs, one event planner, and one hotel manager in the field to share their career experience. Each individual offered a different perspective that helped students gain insight on the pros and cons of the job. FBLA members asked questions and received answers to both professional and personal questions alike. Many students left inspired to progress further in their education and pursue the world of hospitality as a career.
The CAW educational trip could not be summed up without mentioning the contributions of Disney’s most esteemed guest speaker and celebrity chef, Chef Fabio Viviani. Fabio first gained fame through his appearances on two seasons of Top Chef and now is known through his cookbooks, talk show appearances, and multiple successful businesses.
Chef Viviani walked students through his beginnings and explained how he persevered through a multitude of challenges and struggles. His incredible story about becoming a young millionaire after years of hard work only to have it taken away due to him paying off his father’s debt was jaw-dropping.Viviano drove home the idea that every person should find his and her passion and then pursue it with every fiber of their being. His sense of humor and energetic way of speaking had the entire audience hanging on every word. Chef Viviani was an inspiration to both students and staff alike.