In January of this year, Flint Hills Technical College welcomed a new Culinary Arts Department Director, and chef Kendra Smith says it has been an amazing experience so far.
Smith has worked in the culinary arts field for the past nine years and has had the opportunity to work with some of the most notable chefs in the culinary world. This includes the likes of Grady Spears, Richard Silva and Gordon Ramsay just to name a few.
After spending several years in the “celebrity chef arena,” Smith decided to step away from the life of a chef and moved from Dallas Texas to Topeka where she took up a position in social work. However, Smith says the culinary call was too strong to ignore and when she had the opportunity to come to Emporia and begin teaching, it was an opportunity she couldn’t resist.
Smith explains within the culinary world the chef’s word is law and if you do not like it you get out. She says this is not her teaching style at all as everything done in the program and in the kitchen is a collaboration between staff and students.
Smith says the Inspiring Wranglers Campaign was another opportunity which helped drive her to Emporia.
The campaign is a fundraising effort being used by Flint Hills Technical College to renovate the Hospitality and Culinary Arts Department. The renovations will allow the program to be accredited by the American Culinary Federation and let hospitality and culinary arts students receive chef status when they receive their associate’s degrees from the college. Smith says this is a huge advantage for their students once they enter the professional world.
For more information on the Culinary Arts Department visit FHTC.edu.
