It's no secret students today view their education as a tool they can use to delve deeper into their passions and strive for a brighter future. And for some in the culinary arts, that tool may very well be a cutting board.

Second-year instructor and one of Mayor George Pabey's Jobs, Education and Training program's extraordinary success stories, Chef Louie Segura has seen the number of his students triple. Basic skill training techniques, food preparation, catering and gourmet cooking have students rushing to get in the door of his class.

"I don't think many of our students understood the career opportunities that the culinary arts offer," Segura said. "I remember when I first started and students were asking me to teach them to make brownies and I looked at them like you have got to be kidding."

In a short period of time, Segura's students have transformed from amateurs to culinary arts apprentices as a rigorous curriculum and class competitions have quickly made them leaders in the kitchen.

Junior Jonathan Hill has found the culinary class challenging yet enjoys the camaraderie of his classmates. "Everyone is very encouraging and when someone has a question we aren't afraid to ask," Hill said. "Chef Louie is a great instructor and keeps the class fun and exciting and isn't afraid to push us to try new things."

Recently, Segura presented them with a challenge to feed more than 100 teachers and administrators with a little less than $200. "At first many of them scoffed at the idea because they thought it was impossible," Segura said. "But they all collaborated and thought about how to make this task happen."

Segura, who prefers to teach his students how to make everything from scratch, demonstrated there is also a lesson in basic economics in this task. Segura instilled the importance of using their resources and having to "cut corners" without sacrificing flavor.

The young apprentices dove headfirst into the challenge and pulled off an astonishing four-course pasta dinner that was as delectable as if Emeril Lagasse had prepared it himself.

"I really enjoy this class because it gives us confidence," said Citaly Arredondo, East Chicago Central High senior. "It feels good to go home and know that I can prepare meals for my family that they will enjoy."

"We understand that more and more of our students are wanting practical career experiences," said Larry Allen, East Chicago Central principal. "We have very talented young people and we must challenge them to use their talents and to encourage them to strive for academic excellence."

Students take career technology education classes at East Chicago Central and Ivy Tech.  Programs are available to juniors and seniors and most programs offer dual credit opportunities for students at no cost.

"New programs are continually being researched to meet the needs of student interest in business, child care and other technology classes," added Robyn Payne, career technology program director. "Preparing our students for higher education initiatives is our priority."

Damian Rico is a public relations consultant to the city of East Chicago. The opinions expressed are solely his very own. Reach him at darico2@aol.com or (219) 391-8206.