The Marathon High School Culinary Arts program, led by head chef and instructor Carl Stanton – or as he’s known to the school, just “Chef” – turned 15 on April 11. The program celebrated its success and welcomed current and former students to the high school with culinary delicacies to celebrate the quindecennial year.
The MHS program is a part of ProStart, a two-year, industry-backed culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students. Stanton, who has also won the ProStart Teacher of the Year, and has earned the school a high-achieving rank as a Premier ProStart Program, has been a part of the culinary team for the past 13 years.
“It’s really amazing what these kids have been able to achieve in such a short amount of time,” said Stanton. “I’m so very proud of the accomplishments of my former and current students and am looking forward to the great things they will do in their lives. We have been able to participate in some really great competitions and held our own with the big high schools in Florida. These kids come from all aspects of life and have amazing goals and dreams. I’m just glad I can be a part of their inspiration.”
Marathon High School’s ProStart program goes beyond its two-year structure, offering students valuable ServSafe certifications in areas like restaurant management, food handling, allergen awareness and workplace safety. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Dolphin Bistro, which puts on dinner services throughout the year at the school’s “in-house restaurant” for members of the public as well as offering students the chance to venture out and cater community events.
Juniors and seniors may also take the ProStart1 and ProStart2 classes. These two levels are part of a nationally-recognized program developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to provide comprehensive training in culinary arts and restaurant management for high school students. ProStart1 typically introduces foundational skills, while ProStart2 builds upon those skills and delves deeper into industry knowledge and practices. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) also recognizes student achievements within the program.
A dedicated member of Marathon High School’s culinary program for all four of her high school years, senior Gabriella Gutierrez recently received the FRLA Hospitality Excellence Award in March. This statewide competition is by invitation only for premier program schools. Gutierrez intends to study business administration at the University of North Florida and told the Weekly she envisions opening her own Mexican restaurant post-graduation.
“I’ve been involved in the hospitality and restaurant industry my whole life,” she said. “My dad was a chef. He passed away four years ago, but the idea of becoming involved in culinary was always in my blood. … So being able to have the opportunity to get into culinary was just amazing because it’s really helped me stay connected with my dad ever since he passed away. It kind of made me create my own culinary pathway in the same way that he could.”
According to ProStart, over the past 27 years, more than 1 million students have participated. The curriculum integrates practical skills, allows students to become familiar with restaurants and food service, exposes them to innovative career opportunities and provides tools and skills needed to become industry leaders.
“The first year that I took and passed my first exam, it kind of lit a spark that I didn’t really know that I could have,” said Gutierrez. “It showed me that if I put my mind to it, I can achieve what I want to do. I’m really grateful for being a part of this program the past four years. … It was also fun being a part of the competitions.”
The MHS culinary program aims to prepare students for immediate and effective entry into the restaurant workforce by integrating real-world experiences into the classroom. Friendly competitions along with hands-on work with mentors provide industry insights and highlights the link between performance and career success. The program also instills punctuality, preparedness, teamwork and accountability, producing skilled and professionally mature graduates ready for the demands of the restaurant industry.
For more information and details on culinary program events, follow the Dolphin Bistro on Facebook (facebook.com/MHSDolphinBistro).
Photos by ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
