Diversity
Sodexo and BCA Celebrate a Shared Vision for Future Chefs
By Michele Posehn, Senior Recruiter
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Sodexo Executive Chef Sterling Smith demonstrates preparation of spring rolls. |
As a leading employer of culinary talent, Sodexo has developed a valuable partnership with BCA to help cultivate the next generation of culinary stars. Over the past several years, our partnership has continued to grow, spanning the arena of career planning, internships and job opportunities to exciting chef competitions and one-on-one guidance from Sodexo’s top culinary leaders.
Sodexo’s Talent Acquisition and operations staff recently met with BCA students in the New York City area. These students, part of the South Bronx and the Brooklyn Job Corps programs, were given insight into how to prepare for job interviews and create a standout resume by members of Sodexo’s recruiting team. Chef Sterling Smith, one of Sodexo’s Executive Chefs from the corporate headquarters’ test kitchen, discussed his own beginnings in the culinary field and the journey his career has taken with Sodexo. To top the visit off, all of the students took part in an interactive demonstration of a Sodexo spring roll recipe, tasting the ingredients, listening to helpful hints on food preparation, and eventually preparing their own sample to eat.
Jennifer Tschilar, one of the Sodexo recruiters speaking to the students, remarked, “When we showed up, the students and administration staff gave us such a warm reception. All of the students were appreciative of our presence and certainly enjoyed getting some precious advice from Chef Sterling.”
“After meeting a variety of the BCA students, they affirmed that we need to invest in their future,” said Smith. “Their aptitudes and attitudes were impeccable.” Chef Sterling Smith and Chef Joe Iannibelli, Sodexo’s Operations Manager at Westchester Medical Center, took part in the BCA’s open forum, an opportunity for the students and professional culinarians to candidly discuss challenges in the field, advice on career choices, and preparing for life in the food industry. “The opportunities that are in front of us in regards to helping diverse groups of young adults, while training for careers in our industry, is on par with Sodexo’s 2015 vision of growth,” Iannibelli says. “What better way than to not only support but to mold the foundation of our corporate values at the heart of a grassroots effort?” Iannibelli and the staff at Westchester Medical know this firsthand because of the intense dedication they have shown in hiring 10 BCA students as interns and seven as permanent employees.
Plans are already underway to incorporate BCA students into Sodexo’s Future Leaders Internship Program. “It is wonderful to see how our relationship with the BCA has allowed us to connect with schools and programs educating these future chefs at the high school and collegiate levels,” Tschilar said, “demonstrating the possibilities of how far Sodexo’s web of influence can reach.” To learn more about the BCA, see their most recent eNewsletter:
RESOURCES
Editor: Sherie Valderrama, Senior Director
