Sara's Quest for Culinary Excellence
Culinary Excellence Highlight: Sara Osorio, Class of '23 - Mastery in Professional Cooking Certification
Sara Osorio, a dedicated cast member at Disneyland's eateries, had almost given up on her dream of mastering the art of cookery. But, fate stepped in through the Disney Aspire program, a corporate education initiative that provides employees the tools to chase their dreams. This incredible opportunity came in the form of a partnership between Disney Aspire and Guild Education, offering Sara a completely funded spot in the Online Professional Culinary Skills Certificate program on our esteemed platform.
Online culinary courses offered by us immerse students in a multimedia learning environment, where they grasp fundamental culinary skills, food safety management, and the science behind sustenance. From exploring culinary techniques to deconstructing nutrition and sensory analysis, students are armed with a diverse understanding of the field. Sara's enrollment was the start of her journey to make her culinary dream a reality.
Now, let's dive into Sara's extraordinary tale...
SARA'S DREAM
After more than three years of making magic at Disney, an intriguing announcement on "the hub" caught Sara's eye. Disney, along with Johnson & Wales Online, was introducing its Aspire program to help cast members become Chef extraordinaire. Honing her inspiration and playing to her dreams, Sara took the plunge and threw her hat in the ring.
Sara's dream of becoming a skilled cook had been nurtured during her formative years. However, pressure to follow the typical college-bound route steered her towards a Bachelor's in Business Management and Human Resources. Upon graduating, Sara struggled to find work related to her degree and felt disheartened.
Sara's introduction to the culinary world came during her first job at Smart & Final. Starting as a service clerk, she diligently trained to become a cashier by her 18th birthday and even worked her way up to prepping and cooking positions, though her fire for the culinary arts waned.
Disneyland's allure proved too strong, pulling Sara in and keeping her enchanted for five years. She typically worked in the Quick Service restaurants of Hollywood Land and Carsland. Having cross-trained in various food and beverage positions, she could step in as a prep cook or order server when needed.
The spell of the culinary arts was rekindled during her time at Disney. The announcement of the online Professional Culinary Skills program sparked a renewed passion to pursue her ambitions.
CULINARY SCHOOL
Sara's friends were surprised to learn she was joining our online culinary program, asking, "Are you going to become a chef?" Sara admits she isn't entirely sure yet, but her classes have fueled her craving to learn more about the culinary arts.
Straight out of the gate, our esteemed institution provided Sara with equipment like pots, pans, and a camera, along with a deluxe chef's kit and sanitizer buckets for her food safety course. She also picked up a five-year valid Conference for Food Protection Approved Food Safety Manager Certification, which counts as a bonus!
Sara enjoyed showcasing her cooked creations for her class assignments, snapping pictures, and sharing them on social media. Friends and family marveled at her creations, making Sara beam with pride.
A CHALLENGING JOURNEY
The program wasn't a walk in the park, especially juggling schoolwork and her full-time gig at Disney. On her days off, Sara worked diligently to catch up and meet deadlines, striving to stay on track amidst the immense workload. During the initial phase, she confesses to being overwhelmed and slipping behind, but she rallied and used the "head start week" provided by our instructors to keep up.
As part of her weekly classes, Sara watched video tutorials on basic techniques, followed along with recipes to prepare dishes, and recorded every step to submit for review. The feedback and constructive criticism she received from our expert chefs helped her refine her culinary skills.
Editing the videos proved time-consuming, as Sara had no experience with the software. However, once she tackled the simpler assignments, such as setting a table, she became more comfortable and confident in her abilities.
Despite the obstacles, Sara found the program an enriching experience that spurred her culinary growth.
SENSORY FEAST
One of the most fascinating aspects of the program for Sara was learning to objectively communicate the sensory qualities of her dishes. Describing foods such as asparagus, basil, or green beans became a formidable task. Sara refined her descriptive abilities over time, learning to use an expanded vocabulary to articulate the sensory qualities of her creations.
Mastering the sensory evaluation process became a highlight for Sara, enabling her to appreciate nuanced flavors, tastes, and aromas in her culinary escapades.
NUTRITION NICETIES
Sara rarely cooked at home before joining the program, but now she relishes experimenting with new dishes and learning about their nutritional values. The knowledge she's gained from the program offers her the ability to prepare delightful, healthy meals for her loved ones.
Her friends even stopped by to pick up leftovers, and her mom became Sara's trusted taste tester, helping Sara hone her culinary craft. Sara and her mom even worked together on several projects, turning cooking into a delightful bonding experience.
THE CRÈME DE LA CRÈME
Some of Sara's favorite parts of the program included delving into the scientific method of cooking, working with costing cards, and mastering the art of plating dishes. Understanding the yield test, costing cards, and plating techniques helped her create visually stunning, delicious meals that left a lasting impression on her taste testers.
A WORLD OF FLAVORS
Part of the final course in Sara's program involved crafting dishes from Peru and China, exposing her to new flavors she'd never encountered before. Sara discovered interesting fusions of cuisines, such as Chifa - the Chinese-Peruvian fusion food, which she found fascinating.
Learning about and experiencing these new culinary styles was both delightful and enlightening for Sara.
A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
Sara was astounded by the wealth of knowledge and experience her instructors brought to the table. Their constructive feedback inspired her to improve her culinary skills and pursue her dreams further.
The instructor's timely responses and encouragement were a breath of fresh air as compared to previous educational experiences. Sarah David, our Admissions Associate, and Megan, her Guild Education coach, were instrumental in helping Sara navigate the program successfully.
ONWARD TO NEW HORIZONS
Sara's culinary journey has only just begun. She's eager to continue her education, particularly in baking and pastry, and eventually becoming a chef. Sara is even toying with recipe ideas for various Disney locations. While her recipes haven't been implemented yet, she'll keep striving to make her dreams a tasty reality.
Sara's words of wisdom: "It's never too late to pursue the passion you hold dear." Joining the Disney Aspire - Guild Education partnership has given her hope that her lifelong culinary dreams can become a delicious reality.
- Sara's enrollment in the Online Professional Culinary Skills Certificate program was her starting point towards making her culinary dream a reality, fostered through the Disney Aspire program and a partnership with Guild Education.
- In her classes, Sara demonstrated learned cooking techniques and recorded her creations to share on social media, sparking curiosity among friends and family.
- Sara discovered new flavors during a course focused on crafting dishes from Peru and China, and she hopes to continue her education in areas such as baking and pastry to further her career development in the culinary arts.
- Sara's experience with the program has emphasized the importance of continuous education and self-development for personal growth, as well as networking with supportive instructors who can provide valuable feedback and guidance.
