Culinary students prepare meal for Kaluza volunteers,

gain valuable experience

Students enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program at the Mahoning County Career and Technical got a taste of  what the catering industry is all about. The students, under the direction of their instructor Matthew Putzier, catered a dinner for the 450 volunteers who worked to build a new home for Joe Kaluza and his family.

This is the second year MCCTC students were invited to cook for the volunteer appreciation dinner. For the meal the students prepared a large buffet of roast top round with au jus, sautéed chicken breast with a mushroom herb sauce, rosemary and parmesan roasted red skin potatoes, penne carbonara and muchmore.  

In addition to volunteering their time and efforts, the Culinary students also learned firsthand about the catering industry. Many of the skills learned throughout this project will benefit students greatly in their future careers.

But the pay off for the students was in contributing to a wonderful cause. “This whole experience is great for students. At the dinner you can see on the students’ faces how proud they are to be a part of something that is such a good thing,” Putzier said. 

Members of the community can enjoy the students’ meals at the student operated Oak Room Restaurant located at MCCTC. Meals start at just $4.50. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.