Culinary Students Showcase Skills at CCAC’s Menu Planning Class
Pittsburgh, PA — Reem Helou, a student in the Community College of Allegheny County’s (CCAC) culinary program, recently faced a daunting challenge on the final day of her menu planning class. Under the guidance of Professor Charles Wallander, an experienced figure in the hospitality industry, Helou and her classmates learned that effective menu planning is as crucial as a business plan, incorporating aspects like target market, location, and pricing strategies.
For Helou, emigrating from Syria amidst civil unrest seven years ago, this culinary journey has been transformative. Initially pursuing degrees in early childhood education and creative writing, she gravitated toward culinary arts after managing a restaurant. Now working as a pastry chef at Balvanera, a popular Argentinian restaurant in Pittsburgh, she describes her coursework as arduous yet rewarding.
The final project required students to create and price comprehensive menus, highlighting not just recipes but also marketing strategies for servers. From calculating ingredient costs to considering packaging, aesthetics, and delightful menu descriptions, the assignment pushed them to blend creativity with analytical thinking. Wallander emphasized the psychological aspects of menu writing, urging students to produce enticing descriptions that could entice diners.
On graduation day, students displayed their portfolios to local restaurateurs, showcasing their work and networking for future opportunities. Among them, Catherine McDonough and Faisal Alawameh expressed enthusiasm for understanding both sides of restaurant management, combining practical experience with theoretical knowledge.
As Helou navigates her ambition to open a Syrian brunch spot featuring traditional dishes, she exemplifies the aspirations fostered by CCAC’s culinary program. According to program coordinator Art Inzinga, the aim is to prepare students not just as cooks but as future leaders in the industry, indicating a promising outlook for the hospitality sector.
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