Organization: Arc Culinary
Title: Chef Instructor/Executive Pastry Chef
Nominated by: Carla Sanoir
Chef Christian begins his day at 7:30 am and extends his responsibilities well into the night, demonstrating unwavering dedication to his role as the Executive Pastry Chef at Arc Culinary, a social enterprise for Arc Broward.
In his year-and-a-half tenure, Chef Christian has proven to be a transformative force. His daily routine involves preparing lectures for two cohorts of students with disabilities, coordinating kitchen lab activities, and employing various teaching modalities to ensure student retention. He extends his impact beyond the classroom, contributing to feeding children in the preschool program and serving as a part-time after-school counselor in the ABLE program.
Chef Christian’s unique attributes shine through his passion for providing equality and empowerment to students pursuing culinary careers. He brings enthusiasm, creativity, and a commitment to individualized teaching. Examples of foods that he supported his students to make include a gingerbread house which was on display for the holiday season, a cake that was “frosted” with edible paper of artwork personally drawn and colored by the students. With his help, students have created a dessert showcase that included Crème Brulée, ginger snaps, and mango mousse; they have prepared and served at various food service stations, including four different types of paella, pumpkin stuffed ravioli that didn’t resemble traditional ravioli, but a work of art; pulled pork with Puerto Rican potato salad; homemade spaghetti noodles for an Italian inspired meal; shrimp tacos with cilantro sauce; cherry chip cake with chantilly cream; cream of carrot soup with crema, and so much more. He is patient in dealing with each student, providing guidance as they need to help them process information in their own unique way. He was a finalist in the Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship earlier in 2023, which was another way for our students to see the importance of following their dreams and not letting anything get in their way.
As a Chef Instructor, Chef Christian empowers students with real-world knowledge, resulting in a remarkable 95% completion rate for the Entry-Level Culinary Arts Certificate program. He connects classroom learning to real-world expectations on a weekly basis, incorporating financial literacy and social skills. Chef Christian’s impact extends beyond the kitchen, where he introduces the idea of “fun Fridays,” encouraging students to experiment with recipes from ingredients they want to use. Chef Christian utilizes curriculum provided by Catalyst Kitchen on a weekly basis in the classroom. He obtains information from his co-worker, who shares extra tips from the IDEA Meetings, which aid him in structuring his classroom for success. In his role as the Executive Pastry Chef at Arc Culinary, Chef Christian has significantly elevated offerings, leading to a 40% increase in sales for a food service contract. His cooking classes and demonstrations have enhanced the experience for guests, offering them creations typically found in 4- or 5-star restaurants.
Chef Christian’s dedication to instilling confidence in students, emphasizing their value and capabilities alongside their peers, distinguishes him as an exceptional member of the Arc Culinary team. It is an honor to recommend him for the David Carleton Catalyst for Change Award.
